• 


Yours  truly, 

J.  S.  EMMERT. 


SIONILL! 


THE 


LAND  OF  PERPETUAL  YOUTH 


A  Romance  in  Rythmic  Verse 


BY 


J.  S.  EMMERY 


n  gp 

\V> 


Copyright  1904 

BY 
J.  S.  EMMERT. 


KABLE  BROS.  &  RITTENHOUSE  COMPANY 

Printers 
Mount  Morris,  Illinois 


PREFACE. 


POETRY,  WORD-PICTURES. — To  write  a  poem  is  to  paint  word- 
pictures  of  events  and  scenes  that  transpire  or  have  been  presented 
to  the  vision  of  the  mind's  eye,  so  it  may  be  seen  like  a  panorama  of 
pictrres;  and  to  write  a  romance  in  rhythmic  verse,  unwinding  the 
thread  of  the  story  so  that  it  may  be  thus  viewed  by  the  artistic  mind 
of  the  reader,  the  author  is  in  the  position  of  an  artist  who  would  go 
on  a  journey  with  a  determination  to  paint  pictures  of  every  portion 
of  his  trip.  He  would  meet  with  the  grand  and  beautiful,  and,  at 
times,  the  majestic  and  sublime.  Pictures  of  such  scenes  he  could 
paint  to  touch  the  artist-soul  and  cause  it  to  exclaim  in  admiration : 
It  is  perfect !  But  more  often  would  his  route  lead  through  country 
with  landscape  so  unvaried  and  monotonous  that  his  brush  would 
fail  to  arouse  interest.  It  is  thus  with  the  author's  pen,  in  trying  to 
reduce  all  the  elements  that  enter  into  a  romance  of  life,  so  that  it 
will  pass,  like  a  panorama  o|f  pictures,  before  the  mental  gaze  of  the 
reader.  He  often  finds  it  hard  to  paint  word-pictures  from  dry  com- 
mon sense,  and  the  best  he  can  do  is  to  beg  the  reader's  pardon  in 
advance,  if  portions  of  his  manuscript  becomes  dull  and  tedious. 

The  author's  aim  is  to  be  original,  and  not  draw  upon  the 
thoughts  of  others,  by  simply  presenting  them  in  different  words. 
Instead  of  borrowing  thought,  he  has  endeavored  to  present  new 
subjects  for  thought,  and,  in  doing  so,  if  he  has  wandered  from  the 
beaten  paths  of  logic,  his  apology  is,  he  followed  where  untrammeled 
thought  lead  the  way.  It  may  only  be  a  hobby,  after  all — 

Everybody  has  a  hobby,  and  this  is  the  rule: 

He,  who  has  the  grandest  hobby,  seems  the  greatest  fool. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  the  following  is  submitted  for  what  it  is  worth. 


2135303 


CONTENTS. 

PROLOGUE. 

The    Whirling    Seas — Father    and    Daughter — Awaking    from    Love's 
Dream — Out  into  the  Sea — The  Phantom  Dove. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Tradition — The  Fountain — An  Indian  Village — The  Great  Chief  O- 
gal-loo — The  Red  Man's  Hunting  Ground — The  Voice  of  Manitou — 
Prophesy — Fate  of  the  Red  Man — The  Storm  Fiend — A  Tornado — Fall 
of  the  Monarchs — The  Thunder  God — The  Hunting  Ground  Sank  in  the 
Deep — Finger  of  Destiny — Symbol  of  Manitou. 

CHAPTER    II. 

In  Florida — Chums — Roy  and  John — Dreams  of  Home — A  Christ- 
mas Feast — -Bright  Spot  in  the  Fountain — The  Casket — -An  Awful 
Shock — A  Problem  to  Explain — Metaphysics — The  Prize  Regained — In 
Doubt— It  might  be  an  Infernal  Machine — A  Point  Well  Taken — Did  the 
Old  Thing  Kick — Oh  I'm  Killed — The  Cover  Unrolled — Such  Engraving 
You  Never  Did  See — The  Emblem  of  the  Land — The  Casket  Opened — 
Dead  or  in  a  Trance — Phchycomesy  Balls — A  Panorama  of  Pictures — 
The  Gem  of  Beauty  Said. 

CHAPTER    III. 

At  This  Time  the  Story  Begins — Rumors  of  the  Fountain  of  Youth — 
Traditions  of  the  Red  Man — Alfonso — Lady  Isabella — Birth  of  Sionilli — 
A  Strange  Bequest — A  Most  Sacred  Trust — 'Twas  an  Angel  that  smiled 
— Death  of  Lady  Isabella — Sionilli's  Birth  Day — -Trouble — -Ad  Interum. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Alfonso  My  Mate— There's  One  Who  Would  Make  Thee  His  Wife- 
It  Never  Shall  Be — Your  Destiny  Was  Waiting — My  Will  You  Must 
Obey — Fonso  Given  Two  Years  to  Find  the  Fountain  of  Youth — One 
Hope  Remains — The  Last  Adieu — A  Pure  White  Dove — Ad  Interum. 


CHAPTER    V. 

Parting — The  Anchor  Weighed — On  Billows  Blue— Farewell — Be 
calmed — -Storm — A  Gallant  Fight — A  Master  Hand  at  the  W'heel — The 
Storm  Fiend  Subdued — In  the  New  World — Ad  Interum. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

Alfonso  Starts  Alone  to  Seek  the  Fountain — Captive  with  the  Red 
Man — A  powder  Trick — Great  Manitou — The  Fountain  of  Youth — The 
Indian  Village — An  Old  Chief — The  Wizzard — Weighing  the  Mystery—- 
An Eagle  Flying  High — The  Chief  Dumfounded — -The  Red  Man's  Tradi- 
tion— Ad  Interum. 

CHAPTER   VII. 

On  the  Fountain — Eclipse  of  the  Moon — The  Water  Recedes  Into 
Earth — Drifting  into  Night — Spirit  of  Nilli's  Mother — Passing  Through 
Earth's  Crust — With  a  Stone  for  Altar — Ad  Interum. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

Down  In  a  Deep  Cavern  Confined — A  Collosal  Tree — Alfonso 
Dreams — Knock  and  It  Will  Open  Unto  Thee — A  Dwelling  in  the  Tree 
—The  Way  Out — Starts  With  the  Pack  and  Gun — Upon  the  Mountain 
Crest — A  Wonderful  View — The  Inner  Land — From  the  Fountain  to  the 
Sea — The  Dwelling  Place  of  Man — Rules  the  Master  O'er  the  Slave — The 
Serpent's  Charm — A  Victim  Hypnotized — Not  Your  Child  But  the 
Horrid  Reptile  Dies — Ad  Interum. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

The  Accident — A  Grateful  Mother — The  Master  and  the  Slave — 
Right  Earnestly  Did  She  Discuss  With  Me — The  Slave's  Superstition — 
The  Demon  of  the  Night — Alfonso's  Recovery — Worship — Across  the 
Inland  Sea — A  Swift  Voyage — The  Monument — All  are  Free  and  Equal 
Born— Only  Slaves  After  All— The  Sons  of  Patriot  Sires— Their  Birth- 
right Parcelled  to  the  Few — A  New  Acquaintance — The  Brotherhood 
of  Man — An  Invitation — A  Journey — A  Mighty  River — The  Waterfall — 
Bow  of  Peace — Ad  Interum. 

CHAPTER    X. 

Rolling  Fields  of  Golden  Grain — In  This  Land  There  Is  Nought  to 
Pay — A  Son  of  the  Commonwealth — Ties  of  Home  and  Hearth — Was 
It  but  Luck — The  Home  of  the  Free  and  the  Home  of  the  Slave — Op- 
posite Sides  of  the  Stream — Two  Rules  of  Life — Upon  the  River — The 
Rich  and  Poor  in  Strife — Lecture  Halls,  Churches,  Operas  and  Schools 
—The  Home  of  My  Friend — A  Kindly  Greeting — The  Hermit's  Cave — 
She  is  Captive  With  the  Noti — Once  More  That  Voice — The  Great 
Hypnotic  Scholar — The  Mystery  Deepens — He  did  not  wait  for  My 
Reply — A  Message  From  Sionilli — The  Noti — Battle  of  Armagedon — The 
Banquet  Hall — A  Noble  Feast — Ad  Interum. 

CHAPTER    XI. 

Hypnodeus — A  Casket  Cast  Up  By  the  Sea — A  Downy  Bed — An 
Army  Marching — lam — Ad  Interum. 

CHAPTER   XII. 

In  My  Trundle  Bed— With  Axe  and  Spear  They  March  This  Way- 
He  Led  the  Way  Out  Through  the  Cave — lam's  Subjects — Subjects  of 
the  Noti— The  All  in  All— 'Tis  Wonderful— The  Halt— Alfonso's  Gun— 
The  Hawk — A  Messenger  Dove — A  Message  to  Sionilli — The  Unknown 
Force — A  Camp  in  the  Glen — Introduction — The  Puma  Lion — Alfonso 
Kills  the  Lion — The  Noti's  Stronghold — Fonso's  Vision — The  War  of 
Wills — Roar  of  Fonso's  Gun — Alfonso  Slays  the  Noti — Victory — Ad  In- 
terum. 

CHAPTER   XIII. 

The  Bottomless  Pit — The  Demon  Slave — Rescue  of  Sionilli — A 
Divine  Presence — Fate  of  the  Demon — Tam  Regains  His  Youth — Adam 
and  Eve — Father  Time — The  River  Styx — Alfonso  is  Young  Again — 
The  Land  of  Perpetual  Youth — To  Dwell  in  Youth  Forever  More. 

EPOLOGUE. 

Roy  Thinks  He  is  Drowning — Only  Dreaming — Roy  is  Anxious — 
Homeward  Bound — Song  of  the  Journey — Roy  Feels  Sad  and  a  Little 
Mad — 'Tis  This  and  This — The  Happy  Day — Friends  Began  to  Gather 
—The  Wedding  Day— That's  All. 


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In  Her  Arms  Nestled  a  Pure  White  Dove.  13 


PROLOGUE. 


The    Whirling    Seas — Father    and    Daughter — Awaking    from    Love's 
Dream — Out  into  the  Sea — The  Phantom  Dove. 


THE    PHANTOM    DOVE. 


A  ship  sailed  near  the  Maelstrom's  whirling  seas, 

The  full  moon  shone  bright  in  the  dome  above, 
On  the  deck  an  old  man  reclined  at  his  ease, 
By  his  side  sat  a  maid  in  the  evening  breeze, 
In  her  arms  there  nestled  a  pure  white  dove ; 

But  sad  was  the  maiden,  for  in  dismay. 

From  her  dreams  of  true  love  did  awake, 
When  her  father,  in  his  anger,  to  her  did  say : 
Two  years  have  now  passed,  we'll  no  longer  delay 

Your  marriage,  for  Alfonso's  sake. 

Xo,  father,  she  said,  Alfonso's  my  mate, 

And  all  pledges  to  him,  will  I  keep. 
If  Alfonso  lives  not,  then  his  spirit  doth  wait; 
Before  I  would  wed,  I  will  go  to  it,  straight 

Down,  down  through  those  waves,  in  the  deep ! 


14  Then  She  Sank  to  a  Watery  Grave. 


She  sprang  from  the  ship,  out  into  the  sea 

So  quickly,  no  hand  could  save. 
Alfonso !  she  cried,  I  am  coming  to  thee ! 
No  other  one's  mate  shall  they  force  me  to  be, 

Then  she  sank  to  a  watery  grave. 

Long,  long,  the  white  dove  for  its  mistress  sought, 

And  with  such  plaintive  soft  moan  did  weep. 
Where  its  mistress  went  down,  just  over  the  spot, 
It  called,  and  called,  but  she  answered  not, 
Then  exhausted,  it  fell  in  the  deep. 

Now,  oft  from  the  vessels's  deck  at  night, 
The  sailor  will  say,  with  mien  so  grave : 

At  the  evening  hour,  when  the  moon  shines  bright, 

A  pure  white  dove,  by  its  misty  light, 
May  be  seen  o'er  the  Maelstrom's  wave. 


Is  Not  Ten  Feet  Down  There.  15 


CHAPTER  I. 

Tradition — The  Fountain — An  Indian  Village — The  Great  Chief  O- 
gal-loo — The  Red  Man's  Hunting  Ground — 'i  he  Voice  of  Manitou — 
Prophesy — Fate  of  the  Red  Man — The  Storm  Fiend — A  Tornado — Fall 
of  the  Monarchs — The  Thunder  God — The  Hunting  Ground  Sank  in  the 
Deep — Finger  of  Destiny — Symbol  of  Manitou. 


TRADITION. 

One  of  the  traditions  of  the  American  Indian,  who  lived  on  the 
shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  about  the  time  of  its  discovery  by  the 
white  man,  is,  where  now  waves  its  waters,  was  once  the  red  man's 
hunting  ground.  That  many  years  before,  the  Great  Spirit,  Manitou, 
talked  with  the  wise  and  venerable  Chief  O-gal-loo,  and  foretold,  to 
him,  a  great  storm  that  would  sink  the  hunting  .grounds  beneath  the 
waves,  leaving  a  narrow  strip  of  land,  extending  far  out  in  the  waters, 
as  a  symbol  of  a  greater  tide  that  would  overflow,  andl  sweep  the  red 
man  from  all  the  land.  The  terrible  storm  came  as  foretold,  and  left 
only  the  peninsula,  now  called  Florida,  pointing  in  the  direction  of 
Santa  Dominigo  where  Columbus  landed. 


THiE  FOUNTAIN. 


Down  in  sunny  Florida,  near  the  Everglade, 
Flows  a  wondrous  fountain,  the  grandest  ever  made ; 
Out  from  mother  earth,  in  volumes  vast  and  clear, 
Sparkling  as  the  dew-drop,  pure  as  affection's  tear. 

This  wondrous  fountain  flows  a  stream  so  very  deep  and  wide 
That  an  excursion  boat  will  ride,  with  ease,  upon  its  tide; 
Ladened  with  a  human  throng,  whose  many  hundred  eyes 
Look  down  its  pearly  depth,  with  wonder  and  surprise, 
When  sounding  lead  and  line  tell  them,  it  is  really  so, 
That  shiny,  pebbly  bottom  lies  full  sixty  feet  below. 
This  crystal  flood  so  clear  and  pure,  seems  like  ethereal  air — 
What !  it  is  sixty  feet  you  say  ?    It's  not  ten  feet  down  there. 


16  Hear  the  J'oicc  of  Manitou 

THE  INDIAN   VILLAGE. 


Around  this  fovntain  many  years  ago, 

Ere  the  white  man  met  the  red ; 
Before  the  white  man  welcomed  here  his  foe, 

So  their  old  traditions  said : 
An  Indian  village,  many  thousand  souls 

Drank  this  water,  pure  as  dew. 
Enjoying  life  as  time  around  them  rolls, 

Ruled  by  mighty  ( )-gal-loo. 

This  chief  had  lived  three  fold  the  human  age, 

Thrice  youth,  thrice  age  was  his  day : 
The  fountain  of  youth  did  his  thirst  assuage. 

And  his  hath  was  in  its  spray- 
To  lead  his  people  in  the  proper  way, 

This  old  sage  in  wisdom  grew, 
Seeking  to  learn  what  store  in  future  lay. 

From  the  voice  of  Manitou. 

He  lived  while  many  generations  died ; 

Tiire  waited  for  his  soul — 
He  called  his  only  scion  to  his  side. 

His  descendant,  Osceole ; 
He  told  him  of  the  days  long  passed  and  gone, 

Of  this  land  so  water-bound, 
That  to  the  setting  sun,  where  -waves  roll  on. 

Was  the  red  man's  hunting  ground ; 

And  of  the  mighty  river,  running  through 

The  deep  channel  that  it  made, 
Until  its  muddy  waters  met  the  blue, 

Where  now  is  the  Everglade ; 
And  as  his  thoughts  went  backward  to  that  day, 

His  voice  more  strongly  grew : 
Mark  well,  my  child ;  remember  what  I  say — 

Hear  the  voice  of  Manitou! 


The  Red  Man  'Will  Cease  to  Be. 


FATE  OF  THE  RED  MAN. 


The  red  man's  day  will  pass  away, 

His  time  will  soon  be  o'er; 
From  rising  sun  his  fate  will  come, 

But  few  more  moons  will  pass  before, 
When  other  braves,  like  tidal  waves 

Rolling  inward  from  the  'sea. 
Will  overbotmd  the  hunting  ground— 

The  red  man  will  cease 'to  be. 


Your  days  will  pass,  your  youth  renew, 

Your  children's  children  live  ; 
Obey  the  voice  of  Manitou, 

A  symbol  of  fate  will  give. 
Send  runners  out,  the  swiftest  found. 

Call  in  the  hunting  braves ; 
When  two  moons  pass,  the  hunting  ground 

Will  sink  beneath  the  waves. 


You  will  live  on,  your  time  will  be, 

Now  your  scion,  Osceole  ; 
Then  his  descendant,  Kissamee, 

And  last  of  all,  the  Serninole. 
The  miners  hastened  to  the  hunting  ground, 

And  to  each  this  message  gave : 
There's  danger  here !    Flee  to  the  sacred  mound, 

High  above  the  rolling  wave ! 


i8  Foretells  the  Great  Storm  Will  Fall. 

THE    STORM. 


Two  moons  had  now  passed,  and  the  time  was  near, 

When  the  terrible  storm  would  break : 
The  sun  shone  bright,  and  the  blue  sky  was  clear ; 

Not  a  ripple  the  breeze  would  make. 
But  hark !    A  sound  comes  from  the  briny  deep 

That  the  wise  men  cannot  explain — 
Like  a  doleful  cry  of  those  who  do  weep 

When  they  feel  their  weeping  is  vain ; 
Striking  to  terror,  the  hearts  of  the  brave, 

And  causing  all  nature  to  pall, 
For  the  sound  that  comes  o'er  the  water's  wave, 

Foretells  the  great  storm  will  fall. 

Ere  the  setting,  sun  the  waves  did  kiss, 

The  grey  wolf  hid  deep  in  its  lair; 
The  sly  red  fox  its  cunning  did  miss, 
The  rattling  snake  forgot  to  hiss, 

And  the  storm-bird  screamed  out  in  dispair ; 
For  the  great  storm-fiend  had  sundered  its  chain, 

And  in  fury  the  waves  it  tore ; 
It  blew  storm-clouds  far  over  the  main. 
Great  rain-bags  it  filled  to  deluge  the  plain. 

And  with  mountainous  waves  swept  the  shore. 

The  horizon,  now,  grew  dark  with  its  breath. 

The  tornado  rushed  on  with  great  roar. 
Over  the  grove,  the  hummock  and  heath, 
A  besom  of  dire  destruction  and  death, 

On,  on  through  the  forest  it  tore. 
The  mightiest  trees  withstood  not  the  strain. 

Though  anchored  with  roots  all  around ; 
These  monarchs  of  time  resisted  in  vain, 
They  lost  a  limb,  again  and  again. 

Then,  prostrate,  they  fell  to  the  ground. 


The  Smybvl  of  Manitou.  19 


The  Thunder  God  (whom  the  thunder  bolts  hath) 

The  storm-fiend  aroused,  in  its  ire, 
With  rumbling  roar,  rolled  by  in  great  wrath, 
Casting  thunderbolts,  bright,  all  along  its  path, 

Which  set  the  great  dome  on  fire. 
Then  did  Manitou  the  storm-fiend  subdue, 

And  bound  it  once  more  with  a  chain ; 
The  storm  clouds  passed  on,  the  sky  became  blue, 
And  high  in  the  dome,  the  moon  that  was  new, 

Smiled  down  on  the  woods  and  the  plain. 

The  braves  that  went  out,  ere  the  day  had  begun, 

While  nature  yet  soundly  did  sleep, 
Returned  ere  the  Day  God  its  course  had  run, 
And  told  of  the  harm  the  storm-fiend  had  done, 

How  the  hunting  ground  sank  in  the  deep, 
Leaving  a  strip  of  the  red  man's  estate, 

Extending  far  out  in  the  blue, 
A  finger  of  destiny  pointing  straight, 
The  way  from  whence  comes  the  red  man's  fate — 

The  symbol  of  Manitou. 


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Down  in  Florida.  21 


CHAPTER  II. 

In  Florida — Chums — Roy  and  John — Dreams  of  Home — A  Christ- 
mas Feast — Bright  Spot  in  the  Fountain — The  Casket — -An  Awful 
Shock — A  Problem  to  Explain — Metaphysics — The  Prize  Regained — In 
Doubt — It  might  be  an  Infernal  Machine--A  Point  Well  Taken — Did  the 
Old  Thing  Kick — Oh  I'm  Killed — The  Cover  Unrolled — Such  Engraving 
You  Never  Did  See — The  Emblem  of  the  Land — The  Casket  Opened — 
Dead  or  in  a  Trance — Phchycomsey  Balls — A  Panorama  of  Pictures — 
The  Gem  of  Beauty  Said. 


IN   FLORIDA. 


'Twas  on  a  pleasant  Christmas  morn,  just  after  breakfast  time; 
When  two  young  men  with  dog  and  gun,  with  rod  and  fishing  line, 
Bent  on  an  hour  of  sport,  before  the  sun  too  warm  would  shine, 
Down  in  the  southern  semi-tropic  clime 

Of  Florida. 

They  came, from  their  New  England  home,  among  the  snow  clad  hills, 
Away  from  snow  and  blizzard,  away  from  winter's  chills, 
Away  from  noise  and  clatter  of  the  factories  and  mills, 
To  hunt  and  fish,  and  pay  the  hotel  bills 

In  Florida. 

Through  the  palmetto  shrub  to  where  the  palm  and  cypress  loomed, 
They  strolled  beneath  the  grand  live-oak,  with  Spanish  moss  festooned. 
Along  their  path  the  sweet  bay  tree  and  magnolia  bloomed 
With  blossoms,  whose  sweet  scent,  the  air  perfumed 

In  Florida. 

They  strayed  among  the  hummocks,  where  blue  heron's  eggs  are  laid. 
And  in  the  shallow  waters,  there,  they  saw  the  white  cranes  wade; 
And  the  beauteous  scarlet  ibes,  its  plumage  there  displayed, 
They  heard  the  singing  birds  of  every  grade 

In  Florida. 


22  As  Young  Folks  Often  Do. 

They  wandered  to  the  fountain's  shore,  where  they  espied  a  boat ; 
They  loosed  it  from  its  anchor  and  did  on  the  waters  float — 
Floating  there,  then  silent  dreaming  did  the  thought  promote, 
There's  no  pleasure  spot,  like  their  home,  (remote) 

In  Florida. 


CHUMS. 

Through  all  their  lives  these  two  young  men  were  companions,  boon  ; 
Together  would  they  set  their  traps  for  cotton-tails  or  coon ; 
Together  would  they  hunt  for  nuts,  and  in  the  spoils  would  share. 
Where  one  was  found,  it  was  well  known,  the  other  would  be  there. 
They  both  went  to  the  village  school  and  side  by  side  they  sat ; 
Their  suits  were  made  to  correspond,  they  wore  the  same  style  hat : 
From  the  same  book  their  lessons  learned,  together  solved  the  sum, 
Upon  the  play  ground 'twas  the  same,  those  two  young  men  did  chum. 

Together  through  the  college  went,  'twas  on  same  day  and  date, 

With  equal  honors  in  their  class,  they  both  did  graduate. 

At  the  same  house  they  made  their  calls,  two  sisters  there  to  see — 

These  two  young  men  now  broke  the  rules  and  once  did  disagree, 

For  each  did  think  the  other  maid  the  fairer  of  the  two, 

And  plighted  then,  to  each,  their  troth,  as  young  folks  often  do. 

To  be  with  the  other  did  each  take  delight, 

And  in  all  things  did  they  a^ree : 
But  their  natures  did  differ,  as  day  does  from  night. 

Just  as  different  as  natures  could  be. 
Roy  Flemming  was  always  impulsive  and  quick. 

With  him  to  think  was  to  do : 
John  Burton,  more  deep,  if  his  ideas  did  stick. 

His  conclusions  were  sure  to  be  true. 

One  day  while  in  their  boat  they  sat,  the  southern  sun  shone  hot — 
While  dozing  there,  their  dreams  went  to  their  northern  home ; 

Then  said  John,  what  of  your  dreams?  A  penny  for  every  thought. 
Too  cheap,  said  Roy,  but  I  will  tell  them  to  you  as  they  come. 


And  We  Around  the  Table  Sat.  23 

DREAMS   OF  HOME. 


While  floating  on  the  fountain  clear,  this  bright  warm  Christmas  day, 
Dreams  of  our  ice  and  snow  clad  home  did  call  my  thoughts  away ; 
Thoughts  of  the  dear  old  fire-place,  with  andirons  I  right  as  gold, 
Piled  high  with  burning  hickory  logs,  whose  heat  drove  out  the  cold. 
I  dreamed  of  coming  to  my  home,  and  in  that  happy  place, 
Received  my  father's  welcome  clasp  and  mother's  warm  embrace; 
My  sister's  dear  affection  kiss  and  brother's  jolly  stare, 
The  kindly  smile  of  aged  grandma,  from  cut  the  rocking  chair. 
Invited  to  the  Christmas  feast,  the  neighbor  ;friends  were  there, 
And  we  around  the  table  sat,  to  such  a  bill  of  fare: 

Brown  roast  turkey,  oyster  dressing,  with  a  taste  of  sage; 
Cranberry-sauce  with  acid  flavor,  loved  by  youth  and  age. 
Richest  gravy,  mashed  potatoes,  baked  a  coat  of  brown, 
With  a  recess  filled  with  butter,  slowly  dripping  down. 

Sweet  potatoes,  golden  yellow,  from  the  sunny  south, 
And  the  celery  so  crispy,  its  flavor  in  the  mouth ; 
Now  the  mallard,  fat  and  juicy,  just  from  off  the  bay, 
And  the  chicken  salad,  lovely,  made  in  mother's  way. 

Comes  the  cabbage  cut  so  finely  in  a  whip  of  cream, 
With  the  pickles  and  the  olives,  all  seemed  like  a  dream. 
Now  we  all  got  down  to  business,  not  a  word  was  said, 
Till  somebody  broke  the  silence,  praising  mother's  bread. 

Then  the  dessert  set  before  us,  such  delicious  store; 
Sweet  fruit  salads,  oh,  so  tempting,  dare  we  eat  some  more? 
Grandma's  cookies,  cakes  and  ices,  mince  and  pumpkin-pie 
With  plum-pudding  in  its  dressing,  none  can  pass  them  by; 
Tea  and  coffee,  whose  aroma  sweetly  scents  the  air ; 
Sweetest  milk  just  from  the  dairy,  nothing  stronger  there. 


24  So  Brightly  Shining  on  the  Bottom  There. 


THE  CASKET. 


Enough,  said  John,  pray  say  no  more  of  this  to  me. 

Your  feast  has  made  me  hungry  as  a  bear ; 
Wake  from  you  musings  and  tell  me  what  you  see 

So  brightly  shining  on  the  bottom  there. 

I  cannot  make  it  out,  I've  tried  in  every  way. 

It's  not  a  bright  tin  can,  that  very  sure. 
For  tin  would  rust,  its  luster  would  not  stay 

In  water,  thovgh  the  purest  of  the  pure. 

While  you  was  dreaming  of  the  cold  and  rigid  North, 
My  thoughts  went  deep  into  this  fountain  clear; 

But  all  my  ponderihgs  would  bring  no  thoughts  of  worth 
To  help  me  solve  the  glittering  problem  here. 

Now  that's  just  like  you,  said  Roy,  you  have  a  funny  way, 
To  skin  the  hare  before  'tis  caught  (if  'twill  only  stay)  — 
Your  reasoning,  it  seems  to  me,  a  quite  uncertain  habit. 
For  while  you  think,  somebody  else  is  sure  to  catch  the  rabbit. 

I'm  sure  I  have  a  better  way,  to  think  is  bvt  to  do, 

Lets  on  the  botton  drop  that  hook  and  bring  the  thing  to  view. 

No  sooner  said  than  done,  when  Roy,  in  his  impulsive  way. 

Siezed  hook  and  line  and  soon  the  hook  did  o'er  tl*e  bright  spot  play, 

Right  to  the  mark,  so  true  his  aim,  so  perfect  was  the  cast, 
T"st  on  the  object  it  did  fall,  the  pointed  hook  carght  fast. 
They  drew  the  object  to  the  boat — we've  got  the  sucker  tight, 
Said  Roy,  we'll  now  proceed  to  see  what  object  shines  so  bright. 


Did  the  Old  Thing  Kick?  25 

Your  way  of  analyzing  things,  and  not  to  impulse  trust, 
Too  slow  would  be,  for  metals,  bright,  would  fade  away  with  rust. 
But  now  we  have  the  thing  in  hand  for  thovght  and  cogitation. 
We'll  reach  results  and  can  report  the  present  generation — 

What  have  we  caught?  I'd  like  to  know,  what  dees  the  thing  contain? 
Of  what  stuff  is  the  wrapper  made?    I  wish  you  could  explain. 
It's  bound  about  with  metal  wires !    'Tis  silver  true  as  life. 
How  shall  we  open  up  the  thing?     I'll  cut  it  with  my  knife. 

No,  don't  destroy  the  cover,  Roy,  for  never  did  we  see  •( 

A  combination  of  such  nature  as  this  appears  to  be ; 
And  those  silvered  wires  tell  us  there  is  surely  value  there, 
You  had  better  let  me  have  it,  I  will  open  it  with  care. 

As  luck  would  have  it,  Roy  took  hold  the  cover  with  his  hand, 
But  John  who  never  was  so  lucky,  grasped  it  by  the  metal  top ; 
Then  with  agonizing  cry  of  pain  (Roy  could  not  understand) 
John  cast  the  package  from  him,  and  on  the  bottom  did  it  drop. 

What  is  the  matter  now,  said  Roy,  did  the  old  thing  kick? 
You  turned  so  pale,  it  seemed  to  me,  it  made  you  pretty  sick ; 
Or  really  now,  have  you  gone  daft  about  this  little  find? 
Some  cannot  stand  prosperity,  it  does  upset  the  mind. 

Crazy !  well !  If  you  had  touched  it  where  I  did, 
You  would  have  thought  the  world  insane ; 

The  very  second  that  I  touched  that  lid, 
I  received  a  terrible  shock  and  strain 
That  caused  my  nerves  to  quiver  with  pain, 
And  since  the  universe  began  to  rain 
Its  meteor  showers  on  this  sphere,  (mundane), 
All  the  astronomers  have  sought  in  vain, 
For  the  number  of  stars  I  saw  so  plain. 


26  A  Rule  That  Is  Good  to  Apply. 


You  may  think  your  impulsive  way  the  best; 

But  hereafter,  before  I  touch, 
I  will  give  to  the  thing  a  perfect  test 

To  see  if  'twill  hurt  me  very  much. 
Why !  that  thing  was  loaded  with  all  the  bolts 

That  Great  Jove  could  have  held  in  store — 
A  battery  charged  with  millions  of  volts 

Would  not  have  shocked  me  any  more. 

Well !  said  Roy,  now  that  your  story  is  done, 

I  must  admit  'twas  very  shocking; 
And  for  exaggeration,  the  spurs  you  have  won, 

Together  with  both  the  boots  and  stocking. 
But  there  lies  the  thing,  way  down  on  the  ground, 

While  for  it  we  are  fishing,  again, 
A  question  to  you  I  would  like  to  propound, 

A  problem  for  you  to  explain. 

I  know  you  are  a  considerate  one, 

A  great  deal  more  careful  than  I ; 
But  how  does  it  happen  when  damage  is  done, 

The  harm  always  passes  me  by? 
If  trouble  does  come,  you  share  more  than  half ; 

It  is  you  that  gets  mangled  and  torn — 
So  often  would  I  have  occasion  to  laugh 

If  results  had  not  caused  you  to  mourn. 

Superstitions,  I  am  not,  but  I  do  often  find 

A  rule  that  is  good  to  apply: 
The  first  thought  that  comes  to  enter  the  mind, 

Is  the  one  we  alwavs  should  try. 


Instinct  They  Call  It  In  Animal  K\nd.  27 


Instinct  they  call  it  in  animal  kind, 

For  want  of  an  appropriate  name; 
But  it  may  be  thought  of  a  superior  mind, 

Before  they  can  alter  the  same. 
If  a  higher  power  our  mind  can  impress 
And  is  not  by  our  own  disarranged, 
It  would  lead  to  perfection  and  greater  success, 
If  accepted  before  garbled  or  changed. 

Bravo !     Metaphysics  !     It  does  seem  to  me 
There  must  be  something  in  that  can, 

For  who  would  think  Roy  Flemming  could  be 
Such  a  moralizing  young  man. 

What  you  have  said  is  possibly  true ; 

For  let  me  to  plan  as  I  will, 
When  circumstances  bring  fun  to  you 

It  leaves  me  to  settle  the  bill. 
The  account,  in  full,  I'm  settling  now, 

With  aching  of  muscle  and  nerve ; 
When  that  machine  did  into  me  plow, 

It  made  me  quite  sick,  as  you  did  observe. 

I  hope  that  it's  nothing  serious,  said  Roy. 

Oh,  don't  be  alarmed,  said  John. 
If  the  pain  at  first  did  greatly  annoy, 

It  now  grows  less  and  is  almost  gone. 
But  the  pain  at  first  was  awful  severe, 

Every  nerve  it  did  seem  to  touch ; 
Every  muscle  was  drawn  and  did  appear 

As  if  held  in  a  vice's  clutch. 


28  Some  Kind  of  Infernal  Machine. 

While  they  did  discuss  the  moral  question, 
Brought  about  by  Roy's  suggestion, 

To  regain  the  parcel,  Roy  once  more  tries. 
The  fishing  tackle,  once  more  he  took, 
To  the  package,  he  made  fast  his  hook, 

And  again  succeeded  in  landing  his  prize. 

Said  John,  let  us  this  inquiry  adjourn 

Till  we  reach  our  room  in  the  hotel ; 
While  there,  at  our  leisure,  we  then  can  learn 

About  this  treasure  that  to  us  fell. 
Later  events  which  in  that  room  transpired, 

Put  it  beyond  all  doubt  or  question, 
That  if  these  words  were  not  all  inspired, 

There  was  great  wisdom  in  the  suggestion. 

When  they,  to  their  room,  adjourned,  Roy  said  : 
Now  that  we  have  this  thing  so  safely  in  hand, 

I  have  a  bump,  somewhere  in  my  head, 

Of  curiosity  so  deeply  bred, 

That  really,  at  once,  it  must  be  fed, 

For  my  patience  no  longer  delay  will  stand : 

So  let  us  proceed,  with  no  more  delay. 

To  learn  what  this  messenger  has  to  say. 

But  hold !  said  John,  suppose  that  thing  might  be 

Some  kind  of  infernal  machine, 
Constrrcted  to  blow  up  a  vessel  at  sea ; 

What  do  you  think  the  landlord  would  say, 
If  by  acting  so  careless  and  dumb, 

We  should  blow  his  buildings  away 
And  send  us  all  to  Kingdom  come — 

Don't  you  think  'twould  be  rather  mean? 


/  Would  Not  Trust  It  Much.  29 

In  such  an  event  the  papers  world  say : 

Two  more  anarchists  blown  away ! 
Such  glory  and  honor  that  we  would  reap, 
A  verdict  that  would  destroy  my  sleep, 
And  make  my  whole  anatomy  creep — 

Say  Roy,  is  not  my  hair  now  turning  grey  ? 

If  I  was  called  on  to  give  advice, 

It  would  be,  wait  until  we  go  home, 
Submit  to  a  chemist,  whose  bones  are  twice 

Less  valuable,  to  us,  than  our  own. 
The  evidence  I  already  have  had 

About  that  concern,  seems  to  me,  such 
As  to  make  its  reputation  so  bad 

That  I  would  rather  not  trust  it  much. 

And  if  distruction  you  will  on  us  bring, 

I  hope  you  will  excuse  me  if  I  will  sav : 
A  breath  of  fresh  air  will  improve  the  state 
Of  my  general  health,  at  the  present  date ; 
If  you  have  decided  that  you  will  not  wait, 

And  no  matter  how  much  there  is  to  pay, 

You  are  determined  to  open  that  thing, 

I  would  rather  stand  further  away. 

Shoot  it!   said  Roy,  there  is  nothing  to  fear! 

So  /  thought  when  in  the  boat,  said  John, 
We  so  often  find  things,  not  like  they  appear  ; 

They  can't  be  always  depended  upon. 
When  with  confidence  I  grasped  that  thing  in  hand, 

Then  I  thought  there  was  nothing  to  fear. 
The  truth  of  this  statement  I  now  understand, 

Though  this  shocking  knowledge  did  cost  ire  so  dear. 


30  Xow  What  Would  the  People  All  Say? 

You  know  we  came  here  for  health  and  for  sport, 

To  fish,  to  hunt  and  to  play  ; 
They  treated  us  well,  since  the  day  we  came, 
And  you  know  this  place  has  now  a  good  name, 
And  if  anything  happens,  we'll  be  to  blame — 

Xow  what  would  the  people  all  say 
About  this  place  as  a  winter  resort, 

Should  that  thing  explode  and  blow  it  away. 

Now  John,  you  need  not  fear 
Another  blow ; 

Your  experience  was  quite  severe. 
That  is  so ; 

It  has  put  us  on  our  guard, 

So  don't  you  be  alarmed, 

To  be  forewarned  is  forearmed, 
Don't  you  know? 

I  would  rather  you  would  wait 

And  see  it  through ; 

But  that  the  danger  is  so  great, 

You  think  is  true, 

Then  the  walk  you'd  better  take 

Just  for  your  dear  health's  sake. 

But  pray  keep  wide  awake, 
If  you  do. 

For  if  that  thing  it  should  explode, 

You  can  tell 
To  all  inquiring  friends, 

What  befell 

Their  over-impulsive  Roy, 
\Yho  fooled  with  a  strange  toy, 
And  naught  was  left  of  their  boy, 
But  his  yell. 


/  Never  Shrank  From  Danger  With  You.  31 

But  casting  all  our  jokes  aside,  about  that  mysterious  toy, 
To  wait  till  we  go  home,  would  upset  my  mental  equipois. 
I  would  see  it  in  my  dreams,  almost  every  night ; 
And  sometimes  in  sleep  I  walk,  then  by  chance,  I  might 
That  mysterious  thing  explode,  you  must  allow ; 
Therefore,  I  think  'tis  better  that  we  risk  it  now. 

I  have  never  shrank  from  danger  with  you, 

And  if  you  are  determined  to  risk  it,  Roy, 
You  can  count  on  me,  I  am  with  you,  too, 

For  better,  for  worse,  for  sorrow  or  joy. 
But  before  we  attack  that  infernal  machine, 

To  guard  against  any  mistakes  or  surprise, 
The  outside  portion,  the  part  we  have  seen, 

Would  be  better,  at  first,  to  analyze. 

First,  what  material  is  in  the  cover? 

It  is  impervious  to  wet  and  exceedingly  light ; 
It  cannot  be  cork,  nor  can  it  be  rubber ; 

Say  a  mixture  of  both  and  I  think  we'll  be  right. 
'Tis  protected  from  damp,  at  the  same  time  will  float. 

The  object  of  this,  to  me,  is  quite  plain : 
'Tis  to  swim  on  the  water  till  it  passes  a  boat, 

Be  seen  by  some  one  and  picked  up  again. 

Well !   if  that  is  the  case,  how  came  the  thing  here  ? 

I  know  that  things  lighter  than  water  will  swim ; 
But  tell  me  this,  John,  for  I  can't  see  it  clear, 

How  do  they  cause  things  to  float  up  the  stream. 
Due  credence  I  will  give  to  all  you  have  said, 

But  in  this  I  cannot  with  you  agree ; 
For  how  it  could  float  to  the  fountain  head, 

Is  what  I  am  now  unable  to  see. 


32  The  Plot  Grows  Deeper. 


Your  point  is  well  taken,  and  it  is  of  worth. 

This  fountain  is  at  the  head  of  the  stream ; 

From  no  place  could  it  float,  but  out  of  the  earth, 

And  more  strange  does  this  mystery  seem. 
The  plot  grows  deeper,  the  more  that  we  find, 

Till  curiosity  is  beyond  control ; 
Therefore  let  us  proceed  to  quiet  the  mind, 

And  at  once  this  cover  unroll. 

How  will  we  proceed  to  remove  the  wires  ? 

They  seem  to  be  bound  about  pretty  tight. 
If  we  had  a  pair  of  sharp  nipping  pliers, 

'Twould  be  just,  the  thing  to  remove  them,  right. 
Oh,  hold  a  moment,  don't  be  in  a  flutter. 
For  I  have  just  the  thing,  a  wire  cutter! 
Take  hold  of  the  thing  and  I  will,  pretty  quick — 
Hullo  there!   wrhat  is  wrong?    Did  the  old  thing  kick? 

Roy  received  the  package,  and  at  once  he  flopped 
Backward  on  the  bed,  and  the  thing  he  dropped. 
He  screamed  with  all  his  might,  and  the  room  he  filled 
With  his  moans,  as  he  cried:    I'm  killed!    Oh,  I'm  killed! 
Oh,  did  the  old  thing  kick  ?    said  he,  you  bet  it  did ! 

And  I  assure  you  it  was  no  gentle  blow ! 
I  took  so  much  care  not  to  touch  that  lid, 

Xow  where  did  it  come  from?   I'd  like  to  know. 

Your  hand,  in  contact  with  the  wires  you  did  bring. 

Said  John.  I  am  now  up  to  its  trick: 
There's  a  storage  battery,  somewhere  in  that  thing. 

That  makes  it  so  viciously  kick. 


Such  Engraving   You  Never  Did  See!  33 


Cork  to  make  it  float,  rubber  to  keep  it  dry, 
With  a  battery  on  it  to  play, 
If  an  obstruction  is  in  the  way, 
It  will  neither  lodge  or  stay ; 

But  will  pass  it  by. 

The  battery  is  used  to  ,force  it  away, 

That  it  may  not  lodge  on  the  rocks  or  land ; 
The  shocks  we  received,  were  the  tips  we  pay 

For  speedily  bringing  the  package  to  hand. 
Now,  here  are  the  cutters,  and  they  will  unlock 
All  of  the  secrets  that  thing  has  in  stock ; 
The  pliers  John  used  as  these  words  were  spoken, 
The  wires  were  cut  and  the  current  was  broken. 

When  the  cover  unrolled,  it  brought  into  view 

A  beautiful  cylinder,  bright  and  new, 

Twelve  inches  long  and  two  and  a  half  through. 

It  is  not  solid,  said  John,  you  can  tell  by  the  sound, 
And  having  a  lid,  the  conclusion  must  follow, 
There  is  something  to  cover,  therefore  it  is  hollow, 

And  a  contents  inside  will  surely  be  found. 

If  a  contents  there  be,  as  this  seems  to  show, 
Just  what  it  contains  we'll  very  soon  know — 

Oh,  look !   Such  engraving  you  never  did  see ! 

This  enchasing  is  as  perfect  as  perfect  can  be ! 
Those  children,  pursuing  the  bright  butterfly, 
Just  from  its  cocoon,  that  is  hanging  close  by — 

The  butterfly  chasing,  not  thinking  of  harm, 

The  dear  little  cupids  just  from  mother's  arm. 


34  Can  Anything  Be  More  Perfect  Than  This? 


In  the  morning  so  early,  it  does  seem  to  be : 

For  mountain  tops  shine  with  its  first  waking  kiss, 
As  its  rosy  smile  dimples  the  wavelets  at  sea ; 

Oh !  can  anything  be  more  perfect  than  this  ? 
See!   that  sweet  little  fountain  and  the  tiny  rill, 
Where  those  lambkins,  so  thirsty,  are  drinking  their  fill- 
Most  surely,  this  engraving  portrays  with  great  truth, 
A  type  of  perfection, — the  emblem  of  youth. 

And  what  are  the  words  engraved  in  this  scroll  ? 
Oh,  'tis  Latin,  and  we  can  its  meaning  unroll ; 
To  translate,  to  know,  and  then  to  explain, 
Our  school-day  labors  were  not  all  in  vain. 
I  have  not  forgotten,  but  readily  can  read — 

Then  proceed,  said  Roy,  with  no  further  delay, 
For  I  am  becoming  quite  anxious,  indeed, 

To  have  you  explain  what  that  writing  does  say. 

MORNING. 

The  bright  and  rosy  morning,  beautiful  display ; 
O'er  the  hill-tops  shining,  smiles  the  first  bright  ray  ; 
Waking  up  the  lambkins  and  the  mother  sheep. 
Arousing  slumbering  nature  from  a  night  of  sleep — 
Glistening  in  the  fountain,  sparkling  on  the  sea ; 
Birth  of  the  new  day  ;  All  hail !  We  welcome  thee. 

Youth  !  to  say  'tis  perfect  youth  would  put  it  mild ; 
So*  true  to  life,  I  almost  feel  I  am  a  part 
Of  the  picture.    This  perfect  gem  of  art 

Recalls  my  youth,  and  makes  me  feel  again  a  child. 


We  Hare  Made  a  Wonderful  Find.  35 


Now,  while  John  the  engraving  did  admire, 

Roy  sat  and  gazed  as  if  bound  with  a  spell ; 
For  never  before  did  a  thing  transpire 

That  caused  him  to  think  and  ponder  so  well. 
But  at  last  Roy  awoke,  to  realize ; 

All  that  John  said,  it  now  came  to  his  mind : 
Exclaiming,  he  said,  can  I  trust  my  own  eyes ! 

Say,  John,  we  have  made  a  wonderful  find ! 

You  are  right,  said  John,  let  us  learn  what  it  is — 

I  see  this  lid  comes  off  with  a  screw ; 
It  is  now  coming  off,  and  I'm  sure  that  this 

Will  explain,  very  soon,  the  mystery  to  you. 
As  John  unscrewed  the  lid,  an  object  smoothe  and  round. 

Apparently  a  pearl,  rolled  out  upon  the  bed. 
Oh  see  that  pearl !   said  Roy,  the  largest  ever  found  ! 

He  picked  it  up,  then  fell  back  in  a  trance,  or  dead. 

THE  PSCHYCOMESY  BALL. 

One  wonder  ceases  not  till  another  one  is  here ! 

What  mystery  of  mysteries  is  this?    cried  John. 
Oh  !  Roy !   has  this  shock  been  more  than  you  could  bear  ? 

I  will  surely  lose  my  wits  if  this  thing  keeps  on  ! 
Bring  paper,  pen  and  ink  and  my  words  indict — 

John  seized  a  tablet  hanging  nearby  on  the  wall- 
Roy  now  grasped  the  object,  in  his  hand  very  tight. 

And,  said  he,  this  is  called  a  pschycomesy  ball. 
Its  province  is  to  store  the  thoughts  of  the  one 

\Vho  may  be  the  first  to  grasp  it  in  hand,  * 
And  then,  if  'tis  held  by  some  one  later  on, 

He  will  talk  so  a  third  will  understand. 


36  To  a  Land  of  Youth  Inside  of  the  Eaith. 


This  casket,  guard  it  well,  if  you'd  know  the  truth, 
As  it  contains  a  number  of  these  balls, 
Giving  a  full  account  of  all  that  befalls 

Your  psychometer  in  search  of  the  fountain  of  youth, 

Passing  through  varied  scenes  of  sorrow  and  mirth, 

To  a  land  of  youth  inside  of  the  earth. 

The  casket  is  of  metal  that  will  not  corrode, 

Of  specific  gravity,  exceedingly  light; 
This  metal  was  used,  as  'twill  lightly  float, 

And  will  not  rust,  but  always  be  bright. 
As  gravity,  inside  the  earth,  would  be 

Considerable  less  than  out  at  its  brink, 
By  careful  computing,  it  is  hoped  that  we 

Can  adjust  it  to  float  to  the  surface,  then  sink. 

The  cover,  from  bark  and  the  sap  of  a  tree, 

On  the  water  will  float,  from  dampness  free — 

A  charge  of  electricity  will  in  it  be  found 

To  keep  it  going  when  on  voyage  'tis  bound. 

With  hope  it  will  journey  safe  through  the  earth's  shell, 

This  message  is  sent,  our  story  to  tell. 

To  hear  these  words  spoken  in  your  own  dialect, 

No  doubt  it  will  be  to  you  a  surprise, 
As  'tis  spoken  in  language,  in  every  respect 

So  different,  it  seems  hard  to  realize. 

The  reason  is  plain,  not  hard  to  understand — 

It  is  not  words  that  is  stored  in  the  ball, 
But  'tis  thought,  to  express  which,  words  we  demand : 

Words  but  represent,  thought  constitutes  all. 


So  We  Welcome  the  New  Day  to  Our  World.  37 


Of  a  bird,  we  both  think,  you  give  it  a  name, 

I  give  it  another,  the  bird  is  the  same ; 

We're  impressed  just  alike,  with  feathers  and  wings; 

Although  the  name  differs,  the  same  thought  it  brings. 

You  may  say  the  bird  flies  when  it  soars  away, 

The  same  action  I  see,  but  it  walks  I  say ; 

The  same  mental  picture  is  brought  to  each  mind, 

To  express  we  the  words  in  our  own  language  find. 

The  engraving  on  the  casket,  emblem  of  the  land 

Where  life,  in  its  youth,  forever  will  remain ; 
Where  love  and  perfection  unite  hand  in  hand, 

Elements  of  truth,  that  doth  our  life  sustain. 
The  words  in  the  scroll,  we  repeat  them,  o'er  and  o'er, 

At  birth  of  each  day,  when  our  banner  is  unfurled. 
As  we  welcome  a  friend,  when  knocking  at  the  door, 

So  we  welcome  the  new  day  to  our  world. 


38  Such  a  Tale  of  That  Casket  Could  I  Tell. 


AD  INTERIM. 


As  the  last  words  were  spoken,  awaking  from  trance 

In  a  dazed  condition,  Roy  sat  up  in  bed — 
Such  dreaming  of  that  thing  through  my  cranium  did  dance, 
Said  he,  I  wish  I  could  only  one  thought  advance, 

But  they  have  all  flown  and  gone  from  my  head. 
If  my  memory  would  return  and  would  serve  me  well, 
Such  a  tale  of  that  casket  to  you  I  could  tell. 


You  need  have  no  worry  for  you've  told  all  to  me. 

When  you  grasped  that  ball,  you  fell  on  the  bed ; 

Then  began  talking,  bring  paper  you  said — 
I  have  written  it  down  on  this  paper,  you  see. 
When  it  you  have  read,  more  dumfounded  you  will  be- 

All  other  strange  tales  you've  read  will  seem  tame, 

For  unto  mankind,  there  never  yet  came 
A  thing,  so  wierd  and  strange  as  this  mystery. 


The  most  strange  and  wonderful  revelation 

That  ever  was  given  to  human  kind. 
If  I  am  not  fooled  and  greatly  mistaken, 

Within  that  lovely  casket  we  will  find. 
But  did  you  not,  Roy,  know  all  that  you  said  ? 

Or  in  the  trance,  did  you  so  soundly  sleep. 
That  all  the  surroundings  to  your  mind  was  dead  ? 

Have  you  no  thoughts  that  your  memory  did  keep? 


It  Seemed  Like  a  ]'ery  Strange  Dream.  39 


No !  It  seemed  like  a  very  strange  dream  to  me ; 

The  sensation  I  had  would  he  hard  to  explain. 
All  was  light ;  I  did  not  hear,  but  seemed  to  see 

Pictures  of  thought,  as  it  came  to  me. 
When  the  ball  I  touched,  my  memory  passed  away ; 

No  sensation  or  feeling  of  self  did  remain. 
It  all  seemed  so  light,  like  the  sun's  brightest  ray, 

Till  in  life,  I  awoke  to  sensation  again. 

When  from  the  dining  room  they  returned,  Roy  said: 

Without  delay,  read  what  you  have  written,  to  me. 
While  dining,  that  thing  did  swim  in  my  head ; 

My  mind's  in  a  flutter  and  all  at  sea. 
Why !  I  could  not  tell  roast  turkey  from  tarpon ! 

It  was  the  same  to  me,  for  I  had  no  taste  at  all. 
No  doubt,  in  the  morning,  when  breakfast  is  on, 

For  codfish,  I  will  call  for  pschycomesy  ball ! 

John  read  his  notes  and  Roy,  listening  to  the  same, 

Carefully  noted  every  word  that  John  would  read ; 
And  he  would  often  say :    Oh  !  that's  it  indeed  ! 

As  I  saw  it  plainly  pictured  on  my  brain. 
All  those  thoughts  are  coming  back  to  me,  again ! 

They  seem  to  be  about  me,  everywhere ! 
Yes,  I  see  them  all,  now,  Oh,  they  are  so  plain ! 

A  panorama  of  pictures  floating  there. 

When  John  described  the  cover,  Roy  said : 

Now,  to  me,  its  decidedly  plain ; 
Before  that  thing  had  entered  my  head, 

It  had  taken  control  of  vour  brain. 


40  //"  You've  Too  Much  Fire  Your  Loaf  Will  Burn. 


The  description  you  gave  of  the  casket  cover, 

And  the  use  of  the  electrical  store 
Are  identical,  one  like  the  other; 

It  seems  you  had  read  it  before. 

But  let  us  hasten  this  inquiry  to  make, 

For  my  mind's  like  an  engine  and  train 
Rushing  down  grade,  without  steam  and  no  brake, 

That  something  will  happen,  I  need  not  explain ; 
And  unless  we  employ  some  kind  of  a  brake 

To  retard  this  wild  rush  of  thought  in  me. 
The  mad  house  is  the  station  I  first  will  make, 

Ere  the  sequel  will  I  reach,  to  this  mystery  ! 

Oh  take  it  easy,  said  John,  and  try  to  learn, 
If  you've  too  much  fire,  your  loaf  will  burn — 
From  what  was  said  of  those  balls,  they  must  be 

Each,  in  separate  apartments  enclosed. 
And,  by  the  way,  Roy,  can  you  tell,  to  me. 

What's  become  of  the  ball  we  exposed? 
I  don't  know,  said  Roy,  where  it  could  have  gone ! 

Well,  that  does  beat  me  again,  said  John. 

Did  the  ball  leave  your  hand  and  go  to  your  head? 

Or  did  you  drop  it  somewhere  on  the  bed? 

Did  you  lay  it  some  where  when  for  dinner  you  dressed, 

Or  was  it  a  mass  of  thought  compressed  ? 

All  about  the  room,  they  did  search  everywhere 

And  then  they  concluded  it  vanished  in  air. 

Said  John,  we  must  know,  if  this  is  the  case 

When  a  ball  is  removed  that  all  is  in  place. 


Tttis  Gem  of  Beauty  and  Intelligence  Said.  41 


How  shall  we  arrange  this  message  to  receive? 

Shall  we  each,  by  turns,  hold  the  ball? 
Our  past  experience  has  lead  me  to  believe 

It  is  not  best  to  risk  at  all. 
We  find  that  the  message  comes  direct  and  plain 

Through  you,  Roy,  would  it  not  be  best 
That  you  take  this  ball  in  your  hand  again, 
And  possibly  all  of  the  rest? 

Let's  see,  have  we  everything  ready?    John  said. 

For  fear  you  may  fall,  as  before,  you  did, 
You  had  better,  at  once,  lie  down  on  the  bed, 

Before  I  proceed  to  remove  this  lid. 
Oh  no,  said  Roy,  I'll  sit  in  this  easy  chair — 

Do  you  perfer  pencil  to  pen  and  ink? 
Well,  as  my  stenographer,  you  must  take  care 

To  write  what  I  say,  and  not  what  you  think. 

Now  Roy,  if  you  are  ready  I'll  remove  this  lid — 

A  sapphire!     Srch  beauty!     No  genii  or  elf 
Ever  saw  one  more  perfect  than  this  herein  hid — 

Here  Roy,  you  take  it,  I'll  not  torch  it  myself— 
There !    The  second-  it  was  said  Roy  dropped  off  to  sleep 

In  the  chair,  as  soundly  as  if  in  the  bed, 
And  the  mysterious  ball  in  his  hand  did  he  keep. 

This  gem  of  beauty  and  intelligence  said : 


42  At  This  Time  Does  the  Stor\  Begin. 


CHAPTER  III. 

At  This  Time  the  Story  Begins — Rumors  of  the  Fountain  of  Youth — 
Traditions  of  the  Red  Man — Alfonso — Lady  Isabella — Birth  of  Sionilli — 
A  Strange  Bequest — A  Most  Sacred  Trust — 'Twas  an  Angel  that  smiled 
— Death  of  Lady  Isabella — Sionilli's  Birth  Day — Trouble — Ad  Interum. 


THE     STORY. 


When  Ferdenancl  and  Isabella, 

As  King  and  Queen,  did  reign 
Upon  the  throne,  together. 

In  the  Kingdom  of  Spain. 
After  Christopher  Columbrs 

And  his  courageous  cn-w 
Sailed  away,  from  among  us, 

Over  the  briny  blue, 
P>raving  perils  of  wind  and  deep. 

Another  world  to  win  : 
At  this  time,  in  records  f 

Does  the  story  begin. 


Most  Every  One  Seemed  to  be  Wild.  43 


THE  FOUNTAIN  OF  YOUTH. 


The  stories  that  were  told  of  this  wonderful  land, 

Many  were  frivolous  and  vain ; 
The  most  fabulous  were  in  greatest  demand, 
Were  told  and  repeated  on  every  hand, 

And  did  the  most  credence  gain. 


Among  them  was  one,  whether  founded  on  truth, 

No  one  was  able  to  say ; 

It  was  believed  by  the  lowly,  and  great,  forsooth, 
That  in  the  new  world  was  a  fountain  of  youth ; 

If  aged  women  or  men 
Would  drink  of  its  water,  or  bath  in  its  spray, 

Their  vouth  would  return  to  them. 


No  one  did  yet  drink  from  this  wonderful  fount. 

This  story,  the  source  of  the  same, 
Was  from  some  tradition  or  verbal  account 
Of  red  men,  who  doubtless,  drank  quite  an  amount, 

Ages  before  the  white  man  came. 
Be  this  as  it  may,  throughout  all  of  Spain, 

Most  everyone  seemed  to  be  wild. 
Expeditions  went  out,  the  young  hoped  ,for  gain 

And  the  old  to  become  a  child. 


44  Angels  Might  Envy  Her  Pure  Disposition. 

SIONILLI. 


A  retainer,  I  was,  in  the  house  of  a  Don, 

Who  thought  more  of  his  wealth,  of  fame  and  position, 
Than  of  his  good  wife,  to  whom  his  love  should  have  gone, 

For  angels  might  envy  her  pure  disposition. 
Although  the  most  beautiful  lady  in  Spain. 

The  envy  of  all  the  dames  of  Savilla, 
Of  his  cold  affection,  she  died  of  its  shame, 

At  the  birth  of  her  first  born.  Si  o  nil  li. 

The  lady  Isabella  and  your  psychometer 

Were  distantly  related,  and  many  years  before. 
When  a  child,  upon  my  knees  I  trotted  her 

As  she  listened  to  my  tales  of  fairy  lore. 
She  was  princely  born.     A  noble  child  of  wealth, 

While  I  was  from  a  lower  branch  of  the  family  tree — 
Through  all  her  youthful  years,  in  sickness  or  in  health, 

Though  many  years  her  senior,  she  would  cling  to  me. 

When  on  her  dying  bed,  she  called  me  to  her  side 

And  said :    Dear  Fonso,  I  must  go  from  you  ; 
My  poor  life's  current  is  running  low.     Its  ebbing  tide 

Is  warning  me  that  I  must  bid  my  last  adieu. 
And,  dear  cousin,  a  trust  I  leave  you  to  .fulfill ; 

A  great  favor  'tis  I  ask,  when  my  life  shall  end; 
Accept  it,  dear  Alfonso,  Oh.  say  that  you  will ! 

'Tis  the  last  request  of  your  dying  friend ! 

Surely,  dear  lady,  nothing  that  you  would  ask 
But  what  I  would  grant,  even  before  I  knew 
What  its  purport  was,  or  what  you'd  have  me  do. 
Or  how  near  impossible  might  be  the  task ; 


Do  Not  Consider  Me  Wild!  45 


But,  surely,  you  now  have  incentive  to  earn 

New  life,  and  for  this  treasure  you  will  remain. 

A  daughter  to  love,  and  be  loved  in  return ; 

With  this  hope,  dear  lady,  your  strength  will  regain. 

Oh  no !    Alfonso,  I  know  my  moments  are  few, 

And  I  cannot  remain  to  protect  my  child ! 
Thou,  truest  of  friends !    I  bequeath  her  to  you. 

Oh !  start  not !  I  mean  it !  do  not  consider  me  wild ! 
And  Oh !  dear  Alfonso,  do  not  refuse  this  trust ! 

Take  its  mother's  place !  give  it  a  mother's  love ! 
The  mother's  soul  will  bless  you,  in  its  home  above 

When  her  mortal  remains  has  returned  to  dust ! 

Her  cold-hearted  father  could  not  love  if  he'd  try, 

For  avarice  and  ambition  now  hold  control; 
He  might  provide  for  her,  all  that  his  wealth  could  buy, 

But  this  only,  without  love,  would  starve  the  soul. 
Of  flesh  and  blood,  her  father  in  control  would  be ; 

'Tis  only  the  casket,  the  jewel  you  keep; 
Guard  it  well,  dear  cousin,  to  such  a  degree, 

That  no  trouble  may  come  and  cause  her  to  weep. 

And  when  she  arrives  at  years  of  maidenhood, 
See  that  she's  none  other  but  true  love  for  mate, 
Remembering  that  only  the  good  are  the  great, 
Seek  not  for  position,  for  fame  or  estate, 

But  let  him  be  one  with  impulses  all  good. 
If  true  affection  be  the  standard  you  set, 
Then  never  will  she  have  a  cause  for  regret. 


46  T;V(/.S-  an  Angel  That  Smiled. 

You  know  of  the  mother's  fate,  whose  hand  was  sold, 
When  her  poor  heart  gave  not  its  consent 

To  be  mated  to  one,  with  nature  so  cold, 

That  it  brought  to  her  nothing  but  discontent. 

Oh !  the  long,  long  days  of  sorrow  and  shame. 

Living,  unmated,  a  wife  but  in  name ! 

God  help  you  to  guard  her  from  this  awful  fate, 
And  lead  her  to  one  who  is  her  true  mate ! 

'Tis  a  most  sacred  trust  you  would  leave  to  me, 

And,  dear  lady,  I  accept  it  from  thee. 
Oh,  I  thank  thee,  dear  Fonso,  with  all  of  my  heart ! 
I  know,  dear  cousin,  you'll  do  well  your  part. 
A  father's  affection,  and  a  mother's  love. 
I  know  you  will  have  for  this  innocent  dove — 
If  the  aged  could  have  youth,  Oh,  if  this  could  be! 
That  in  time  my  darling  might  mate  with  thee ! 

When  she  said  these,  her  last  wrords,  my  hand  she  pressed  ;• 
Her  face  it  grew  bright — 'twas  an  angel  that  smiled — 
Her  presence  still  lingered  with  me  and  her  child, 

But  her  mortal  remains,  had  gone  to  its  rest. 

Dear  lady,  thy  form  lies  there,  so  cold  in  death  : 
But  thy  presence  still  lingers  for  the  vow,  I  make, 

To  guard  thy  sweet  child,  while  my  body  has  breath. 
And  to  love  it,  for  her  own,  and  thy  dear  sake. 

And  thou,  my  sweet  child  in  security  sleep. 

For  the  promises  made  will  I  sacredly  keep. 
A  father  and  mother,  a  sister  and  brother 

To  thee,  will  I  strive  to  be,  all  of  my  life. 

And  when  the  time  comes,  in  thy  life,  for  a  lover, 
A  true  mate  will  I  find.    He  shall  be  no  other 

Than  one  who  will  make  of  thee,  a  most  happy  wife. 


A  Beam  of  Sunshine  to  Brighten  the  Wa\.  47 


How  I  learned  to  love  that  beautiful  treasure. 

As  from  day  to  day,  in  my  affections  she  grew. 
The  mother's  spirit  seemed  to  hover,  and  measure 

Out  such  pure  love,  as  none  but  a  fond  mother  knew. 
And  how  the  dear  child  did  my  affection  return, 

Entwining  me  about,  as  a  vine  doth  the  tree. 
From  the  time  in  its  life  that  its  mind  could  discern, 

Its  affections  would  cling  to  no  other  but  me. 

« 

We,  together,  did  drift  on  the  tide  of  time. 

I,  as  the  old  oak  approaching  decay : 
She,  clinging  to  me  as  a  tender  vine, 

A  beam  of  sunshine  to  brighten  the  way. 
Thus  together  we  grew,  and  as  one,  became 

In  impulse,  in  thought  and  in  inspiration, 
In  sorrow  and  joy,  and  in  aspiration 

But  one  existence  we  lived,  except  in  name. 

Eighteen  happy  sumirers  had  thus  passed  away. 

When  first  we  were  aroused  by  a  chill  of  despair. 
It  was  on  Sionilli's  eighteenth  birthday, 

When  the  awakening  caire  to  trouble  and  care. 
After  spending  the  day,  till  approaching  dark 

Warned  us,  this  clay  of  pleasure  was  done ; 
Her  father  stood  waiting  for  us,  in  the  park. 

This  was  so  unusual.  I  felt  trouble  had  come. 


48  Sionilli  Is  Her  Xaine. 


AD  INTERUM. 


TROUBLE 


Xow,  who  is  in  trouble?     I  would  like  to  know. 

With  many,  their  troubles  seem  all  the  go. 

For  breakfast  there's  trouble,  for  dinner,  the  same 
For  supper  there's  trouble  warmed  over,  again. 

They  would  never  be  happy  without  trouble,  ahead, 

From  the  time  they  arise,  'till  sleeping  in  bed — 
A  schoolboy's  not  happy,  without  a  sore  toe. 
That  a  cause  for  trouble,  he  may  have  to  show. 


It's  your  thoughts  that's  in  trouble,  but  in  dreams  is  all- 
Twas  the  last  words  in  the  psychomesy  ball. 

To  a  world  of  trouble,  your  heroine  came. 

A  daughter  in  trouble,  Sionilli's  her  name- 
As  this  story  was  short,  if  there's  no  delay. 
Another  can  be  told  if  you  sit  right  away : 

We'll  open  it  now.  Oh,  an  emerald,  green ! 

Roy  grasped  it  in  hand,  and  once  more  did  he  dream. 


There  Is  One  Who  Would  Make  Thee  His  Wife.  49 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Alfonso  My  Mate— There's  One  Who  Would  Make  Thee  His  Wife- 
It  Never  Shall  Be — Your  Destiny  Was  Waiting — My  Will  You  Must 
Obey — Fonso  Given  Two  Years  to  Find  the  Fountain  of  Youth — One 
H'ope  Remains — The  Last  Adieu — A  Pure  White  Dove — Ad  Interum. 


TRUE  TO  HER  MATE. 


Xilli,  said  her  father,  you  and  Fonso  seem  to  be 

Quite  happy  and  contented  with  each  other. 
A  picture  of  old  time  and  the  new  year  I  did  see, 

While  crossing  the  lawn,  there,  you  two  together ; 
But  do  you  not  know,  there  are  those  of  your  age, 

Who  are  more  suitable  companions,  for  thee, 
Than  to  live,  alone,  with  this  venerable  sage, 

Though  ever  so  wise  and  good  he  may  be  ? 

I  have  left  you,  entirely,  in  Alfonso's  care. 

And  he  must  have  done  his  duty  quite  well ; 
For  a  being  could  not  be  found,  anywhere, 

In  contentment  so  pure,  as  you  seem  to  dwell. 
But  the  time  has  arrived  for  you  to  awake ; 

Your  place  among  Ladies,  is  first  in  the  land. 
Your  position,  my  daughter,  demands  that  you  take 

The  place  of  great  honor,  my  wealth  can  command. 

Eighteen  years,  you  have  passed,  and  I  doubt  if  you've  had 

One  thought,  of  a  gallant  or  swain ; 
While  other  young  maidens,  at  your  ?ge,  would  be  sad 

If  they  bad  not  a  dozen  in  train. 
Alfonso  has  absorbed  all  yorr  interest  in  life ; 

His  controll  of  your  mind  must  be  great ; 
But  now  there  is  one,  who  would  make  thee,  his  wife, 

And  with  whom,  I  would  have  vou  to  mate. 


50  /  Will  Never  Lcare  Him  for  Anyone's  Sake. 

No,  no !  my  dear  father,  I  am  well  satisfied ! 

Alfonso's  acquaintance  is  all  I  would  crave ; 
Xo  ether  coirpanion  would  I  have  at  my  side. 

Although  ever  so  perfect  he  might  behave ! 

But  my  child,  Alfonso's  a  very  old  man  ; 

Three  score  and  ten  years,  with  its  cares. 
\Vliile  you  have  not  passed  through  the  earliest  span 

Of  youth,  with  the  pleasvre  it  bears. 

Eighteen,  today,  father,  you  did  not  forget 
That  your  daughter's  birthday  was  here. 

Fonso  remembered,  and  prepared  for  his  pet, 
A  day  that  was  full  of  pleasure  and  cheer. 

But  Nilli,  Alfonso  can't  be  with  you  long. 
The  days  of  his  life  have  nearly  gone  by  ; 
Thus  to  leave  you  alone  would  surely  be  wrong! 
Pray  what  will  you  do  when  Alfonso  does  die? 

Oh  Father !  my  Fonso  shall  not  die  while  I  live ! 

( )ld  age,  I  will  never  allow  to  come  in ! 
I  will  cling  to  his  life !    Half  my  youth  will  I  give, 

No !  never  while  I  live,  shall  death  come  to  him ! 

Oh !  I  feel  I  could  not  let  him  go  from  me  now, 
Of  my  very  existence,  has  he  been  a  part, 

Like  the  mistletoe,  when  'tis  torn  from  its  bough, 
Would  I  wither,  and  die  with  a  broken  heart ! 

Oh  say  not.  my  Fonso  will  be  torn  ;from  me, 
Nor  urge  me  another  companion  to  take. 

For  I  tell  you  right  now,  it  never  shall  be ! 
1  will  never  leave  him,  for  any  one's  sake  ! 


This  Is  What  I  Tried  to  Do.  51 


If  you  take  me  from  Fonso,  my  only  true  mate, 

And  compell  me  to  be  another  man's  wife, 
All  my  love  for  thee,  father,  would  then  turn  to  hate ; 

Before  I  would  wed,  I  would  take  my  own  life  ! 

Oh,  tut,  tut,  my  child !     Do  you  know  what  you  say  ? 

Alfonso,  your  mate!    Why  he's  lived  out  his  day ! 
A  friend  and  adviser,  has  he  been,  it  is  true ; 

But  now  he's  too  old  for  grandfather  to  you ! 
Alfonso,  have  you  ever  been  teaching  her  love, 

Other  than  from  pupil  to  tutor  is  due  ? 
Your  position  thus  using  to  woo  this  young  dove? 

Old  man,  if  I  thought  this,  your  days  would  be  few ! 

Insulting!  Noble  Don,  are  those  words  you  have  said! 

Such  language,  to  me,  is  unjust  and  so  wild ! 
When  Lady  Isabella,  upon  her  dying  bed. 

Placed  within  these  arms  a  noble  mother's  child. 
Begging  me  to  guard  and  guide  its  life  with  care, 

To  this  last  request  I  pledged  my  honor,  there. 
To  make  each  clay  more  happy  than  the  one  before ; 

This  is  what  I  tried  to  do,  and  nothing  more ! 

I  loved  her  when  an  infant  sleeping  in  my  arms  ; 

How  I  loved  the  prattling  child  I  trotted  on  my  knee, 
I  loved  her  when  a  pupil,  with  her  girlhood  charms. 

But  I  loved  her  best,  in  maidenhood,  ,for  her  faith  in  me. 
I  tried  to  teach  her  nothing  but  the  noble  and  the  good ; 

But  on  the  love  of  sex,  did  I  always  remain  dumb ; 
Feeling  that  the  province  of  true  maidenhood. 

Is  to  bide  the  time,  till  her  destined  mate  shall  come. 


52  John  Laughed  1 17 hen  You  Smiled. 


If  this  mission  I  have  fulfilled,  and  in  doing  so, 

Have  turned  her  thoughts  to  me,  and  caused  her  love  to  grow 

It  was  because,  of  life,  I  gave  to  her  my  best 

In  my  efforts  to  fulfill  her  mother's  last  request. 
If  blame  exists,  that  her  affections  to  me  came, 
'Twas  duties  well  fulfilled,  not  I,  that  was  to  blame. 

She,  of  my  life,  became  a  part ;  I  thought  not  how, 

For  I  never  analyzed  my  feelings  until  now. 

Up  to  this  time,  you  say  she's  been  happy  and  content ; 

If  this  is  so,  my  mission  did  I  well  fulfill. 

No  doubt  she  feels  it,  when  she  says ;  if  you  will 
To  part  us  now,  she  would  not  live,  in  that  event. 
But  few  years  has  she  lived ;  all  experience  of  her  life 

Has  been  with  me,  and  perhaps,  if  I  was  gone, 
She  might  then  meet  her  mate,  and  be  happy  as  a  wife — 

But  how  could  I  live  without  thee,  darling  one  ? 

She  is  all  I  have  left  in  life,  my  Noble  Don ; 

Her  companionship  lost,  will  be  death  to  me. 
That  she  seeks  other  love,  to  be  hers  when  I'm  gone, 

For  her  sake,  'twould  be  best,  with  you  I  agree. 
But  oh,  Siomlli !  Thou  art  dearer  to  me 
Than  ever  thou  canst  to  another  one  be ! 

But  my  happiness  must  not  stand  in  thy  way ; 

I  must  :i3s-?nt  to  what  your  father  doth  say. 

Yes,  others  you  must  seek,  your  equal  in  years ; 

Only  :  em  ember  me,  as  a  dear  friend 
\Vho  did  laugh  when  you  smiled,  and  wept  with  your  tear^, 

For  vour  Fonso's  life  draws  near  to  its  end. 


A  Soul  Is  Asking  Thee  To  Wait.  53 


A  soul,  somewhere  in  life,  is  asking  thee  to  wait 
'I  ill  its  destiny  draws  nearer  unto  thee — • 
If  left  to  fate,  alone,  the  time  will  surely  be 

When  your  destinies  will  meet  to  love  and  mate. 

No,  no.  Alfonso,  this  never  can  be, 

No  one  but  you  was  created  for  me. 

You  was  near  when  I  came  to  this  life's  estate, 
And  yours  was  the  soul  that  awaited  its  mate. 

Your  destiny  was  waiting  when  mine  did  come, 

And  you  and  I,  there  and  then,  became  one. 
No  other  was  there  when  I  came  from  thence, 
And  no  other  shall  there  be  to  go  with  me  hence. 

Oh,  you  are  a  crazy  loon !  her  father  said. 
Fonso  is  older  than  your  grandfather  would  be, 

If  living  to  say :    Oh,  put  her  to  bed  ! 
She's  the  most  consumate  fool,  I  ever  did  see ! 

Age  should  not  count  in  affection's  pure  life, 

Love,  and  love  only's  the  tie  that  should  bind; 

Pure  love  of  the  soul,  of  the  spirit-mind, 
Is  all  thai  should  count  between  husband  and  wife. 

Fcnso's  body  is  old  and  bent  with  age. 
But  m  spirit  our  years  are  equal,  we  find ; 

Our  aspirations  will  equally  gauge, 
Through  ages  when  bodies  are  left  behind. 

This  half-century  between  our  body's  birth, 

These  few  years,  would  you  place  them  in  the  way 

Of  uniting  two  souls,  when  they  pass  from  earth? 
You  know  our  bodies  are  nothing  but  clay ! 


54  -1/v  Will  You  Must  Obev. 


Our  destinies  sever  through  ages  to  coir.e. 

For  difTerence  of  tiir.e  our  souls  did  awake? 
No!  Fonso  and  I  were  destined  to  be  one 

In  all  that's  required,  one  being  to  make. 

Oh,  cease  those  foolish  ravings,  and  listen  to  what  I  say : 
Another  mate  I  will  for  thee,  ;;/v  will  yen  must  ol;c\  ! 

The  Don,  Jran  Mercedes  and  I  were  friends  whcMi  young — 

His  wealth  and  power's  very  great.    He  has  an  only  son 
Who  will  succeed  to  his  estate,  with  all  its  titles,  too ; 
And  to  unite  our  great  estates,  we'd  have  him  wed  with  you. 

A  message  from  this  Xoble  Don,  just  received,  my  dear. 

Says  his  son  will  visit  us  sometime  the  coming  year. 

Oh,  my  dear  father,  you  know  not  what  you  would  do! 

Does  love  of  wealth  and  power  your  mind  control  ? 
Your  own  daughter's  happiness,  is  it  naught  to  you  ? 

clave  you  no  love  for  her  within  your  soul  ? 

To  take  me  from  Fonso  and  bind  to  another. 

All  pleasures  in  life  you  then  would  destroy. 
All  hopes  of  the  future,  all  joys  you  would  smother. 

Oh  tell  me  you  said  it  jvst  to  annoy ! 

Would  you  bind  me  to  one  whom  I  never  have  seen. 

And  barter  my  body  for  wealth  and  power. 
To  the  highest  bidder,  like  a  demamond  quean  ? 

Of  shame  would  I  fade  like  a  withered  flower. 
It  never  shall  be  !    Oh,  the  thought  makes  me  quail ! 

Xo !  before  I  wculd  let  my  body  to  be 
An  object  to  be  offered  in  barter  and  sale. 

Deep  down  in  the  grave  would  I  hide  it  from  thee. 


Xot  Sanctioned  in  Heaven  if  Bound  by  Such  Ties.  55 


Before  I  would  ever  be  united  in  bond, 

And  consent  to  be  only  a  wife  in  position, 
To  avoid  it,  I  would  go  to  the  world  beyond 

And  escape  such  immoral  and  degraded  condition — 
Yes,  the  maiden,  though  ever  so  pure  her  life, 

When  she,  herself  sells  for  position  or  wealth, 
She  becomes  but  a  mistress,  and  not  truly  a  wife — 

She  only  then  sells  her  body  for  pelf. 

The  world  is  growing  impure,  and  well  it  might. 

When  life  is  brought  forth  ,from  such  rotten  germs. 
When  virtue  is  sold,  'tis  societies'  blight. 
Much  better  the  spirit  should  take  its  flight 

And  the  mortal  body  be  consumed  by  worms. 
To  wed  thus,  the  marriage  would  be  but  a  lie, 
\Tot  sanctioned  in  heaven  if  bound  by  such  tie. 

There  Nilli,  you  have  said  enough,  I  want  to  hear  no  more ! 
Alfonso,  have  you  taught  her  all  this  stuff  she  has  in  store? 

You  silly  child !    Now  do  you  think  God  picked  Alfonso  out 

And  kept  him  waiting  fifty  years,  for  you,  wandering  about? 
And  Alfonso,  do  you  share  in  this  foolish  thought. 

That  you  and  Sionilli  were  created  to  be  one  ? 
\Yhat  the  pupil  learns,  the  tutor  must  have  taught : 

I  thought  yorr  store  of  common  sence  could  be  depended  on. 

I  hardly  know,  now,  what  to  say  to  you,  my  Noble  Don. 

Until  now,  I  seemed  to  think  her  thoughts  were  always  right. 
To  make  her  happy  was  the  thought  my  mind  did  dwell  upon. 

And  consideration,  I  did  not  give  it  in  this  light. 


56  Pure  Virtue  Will  Ei-er  Stay  True  to  Its  Mate. 


Her  other  sentiments  I  do  endorse,  in  every  part: 
Pure  affection,  I  do  protest,  should  never  be  destnnc-d 

By  making  chatties  of  the  female  hand  and  heart, 

And  for  Nilli's  sake,  I  hope  you  will  this  wrong  avoid. 

No  female  can  ever  feel  virtuous  and  pure, 

When  a  wife  she  becomes,  where  love  does  not  rate, 
Just  for  wealth  to  obtain,  or  position  secure ; 

Pure  virtue  will  ever  stay  true  to  its  mate. 
That  Nilli  and  I  were  created  to  mate, 

Would  seem  from  conditions,  I  now  do  recall, 
If  date  qf  our  birth  did  not  differ  so  great ; 

But  then,  she  says  truly,  this  life  is  not  all. 

No  doubt,  there  are  millions  of  years  yet  to  live 
In  this  and  other  conditions  of  life, 
Shall  two  souls,  created  as  man  and  wife. 

Be  parted  for  the  little  that  wealth  might  give  ? 

Would  you  cause  her,  through  all  the  millions  of  years, 
To  exist  in  trouble,  in  sorrow  and  tears  ? 

Would  you  force  her  to  be  an  unmated  wife, 

That  you  may  have  power  throughout  this  short  life? 

I  care  nothing  for  the  years  we  know  nothing  of. 
And  I  care  nothing  for  what  you  call  love ; 

I  only  know,  if  our  children  will  mate, 

Our  houses  will,  then,  become  strong  and  great. 

In  my  dreams,  it  has  been,  ever  since  she  was  born, 
That  some  day  she  would  be  vnited  to  him — 

My  plans  shall  not  now  l:e  all  shattered  and  torn, 
For  any  old  man  or  girl's  foolish  whim. 


But  Will  You  Pledge  Your  Word?  57 


Alfonso  is  old,  to  these  words  you  have  clung, 
What  would  you  say,  father,  if  he  was  now  young? 

Just  like  you  to  offer  such  ^foolish  suggestion, 
That  Fonso's  not  young  will  answer  the  question. 

But  supposing  he  might  regain  his  youth  once  more. 

You  know  in  the  new  world,  somewhere,  they  say 
There's  a  fountain,  whose  waters,  if  drank,  will  restore 

Full  vigor  and  youth  to  the  aged  and  gray. 

Well  Nilli !     Do  you  give  credence  to  this  foolish  rumor? 
Like  all  your  senseless  ideas,  they  put  me  out  of  humor ! 

I  know  you'r  skeptic,  father,  and  you  think  it  is  absurd 
That  such  a  fountain  does  exist ;  but  will  you  pledge  your  word, 
That  you  will  not  demand  my  marriage  to  this  man, 
For  two  more  years  at  least,  then  if  Alfonso  can 
This  wondrous  fountain,  find,  and  be  young  again  in  life, 
Will  you  give  me  to  him,  father,  as  his  mate  and  wife? 

Yes,  Nilli,  arrange  it  all  to  suit  your  mind, 
For  I  know  he  never  will,  the  fountain,  find ! 

Now  Fonso,  your  Nilli  will  ask  this  of  thee : 

Go  seek  this  fountain,  oh  search  everywhere! 

And  take  with  thee,  Fonso,  your  own  Nilli's  prayer 
That  with  youth  regained  you  will  return  to  me. 


58  That  I  Ma\  Cross  to   Thee. 


Yes,  my  dear  Xilli,  your  commands  I  will  obey, 
Throrgh  all  the  world  will  I  go,  and  search  in  every  way  : 

And  with  the  blessed  hope,  that  leaves  this  straw  to  me. 

To  bridge  this  space  of  years  that  I  may  cross  to  thee, 
All  the  waters  will  I  seek,  be  they  great  or  small. 

Xot  a  stream  or  fountain  shall  escape  my  sight ; 
Although  bitter  they  maybe.  I  will  drink  from  all. 

And  for  success,  will  I  trust  in  God  and  the  right ! 

Xo  mountain  is  so  high,  but  what  I  will  scale. 

Xcr  stream  broad  enough  to  obstruct  my  way  ; 
Thorgh  in  darkest  cave  hid,  yet  will  I  not.  fail. 

If  bowels  of  earth  hold  it.  my  thirst  it  shall  stay. 
Old  tiire  shall  serve  me,  and  its  moments  save : 

That  age,  to  overcome  me,  will  strive  in  vain. 
And  my  very  will  power  shall  throttle  the  grave. 

That  it  may  not  receive  ire  till  I  meet  thee  rgain. 

Xonsense.  this  is  foolish  !    \Yould  you  sacrifice  your  life? 

And  Alfonso,  at  yovr  age.  your  a  fool  to  want  a  wife ! 
I  will  not  try  to  stop  you.  for  I  know  'twill  be  no  use, 
Both  of  you  are  crazy  abort  this  tale  of  mother  goose ! 

Sionilli  will  not  marry  for  two  years  or  more. 

If  this  fountain  you  discover,  and  your  youth  restore, 
Then,  if  'tis  Xilli's  wish,  I  will  give  her  hand  to  thee, 
If  a  sip  of  the  water  you  will  bring  home  to  me. 

Oh  thanks,  my  noble  Don.  one  ray  of  hope  doth  yet  remain ! 

And  thou.  my  darling  one,  do  you  bid  me  go? 

Faith  in  God,  such  as  thou  hast  in  me.  I  know 
Will  bring  success  to  me.  and  safe  return  again. 


To  This  Hope  Shall  They  Be  Taught  to  Cling.  59 

Oh,  Alfonso !    To  bid  thee  go,  is  very  hard  to  say  ! 

The  tender  vine  that's  clung  through  all  its  life  to  thee. 
Is  left  alone,  its  young  tendrils  to  teach  another  way 

To  live,  without  support  from  thee,  its  noble  tree ! 
But  to  this  hope  shall  they  be  taught  to  cling : 
Thou  wilt  return,  and  with  thee  youth  will  bring. 

Yes  go,  quickly  go,  so  time  it  will  not  run. 

To  make  the  years  allowed,  before  results  are  won. 

You  say  quite  well,  indeed,  no  precious  moments  now  to  waste, 
On  the  first  ship  that  goes,  yovr  Fonso  now  irurt  sail. 

To  prepare,  the  time  is  short,  and  I  must  work  with  haste. 
With  s'  cress  for  nv  motto  I  knew  I  will  not  f?il. 

Said  the  Don,  yen  need  not  wait,  a  ship  will  sail  next  week. 

On  voyage  of  discovery,  to  the  land  you  seek. 
If  you  want  to  go,  I'll  engage  a  berth  for  you. 
And  make  it  well  for  you,  with  captain  and  the  crew. 

Oh,  kind  fate  is  with  us,  Nilli  dear,  today 
And  provides  a  chance  for  me  to  haste  away. 

Yet,  the  thought,  I  leave  thee  in  so  short  a  time. 

Strongly  urges  me,  the  offer  to  decline. 
Then  the  thought,  it  comes,  of  the  prizes  I  seek ; 

My  youth,  and  life  everlasting  with  thee, 
Brings  courage  and  strength,  wherein  I  was  weak — 

Yes,  my  Xoble  Don,  engage  passage  for  me. 

Oh,  those  moments  so  precious,  how  swift  was  their  flight, 
Till  evening  o>f  last  day,  together  we  would  be. 

To  encourage  each  other,  we  made  a  hard  fight. 

Till  the  hour  had  come  to  part  for  the  night — 
Oh,  I  cannot!  cried  Nilli,  Xow  bid  thee  adieu! 
One  more  precious  moment  would  I  tarry  with  you ! 

I  will  bid  thee  farewell  from  mv  window  at  three. 


60  Xow  Arc  the  Fates  With  Us. 

Oh  my  Nilli,  Sionilli,  I  am  waiting  for  tlu-c  ! 

The  watch  in  the  tower,  calls  the  hour  of  three ; 
The  dawn  will  soon  break,  when  I  must  away. 
The  good  ship  will  sail,  at  break  o,f  day. 

Awake  from  thy  slumbers  and  bid  me  adieu, 

The  ship  will  not  tarry,  that  bears  me  from  you ! 

I  am  waiting,  dear  Fonso,  from  slumbers  free ; 

No  dreams  could  beguile  me  from  thinking  of  thee. 
In  the  balcony  I  tarried,  seeking  a  star 
Which  together  we  may  see,  when  parted  afar. 

'Tis  the  north  star,  dear  Fonso,  so  steady  and  true ; 

When  it  crosses  my  vision,  will  my  thoughts  be  with  you — 
Oh !  am  I  now  dreaming,  a  voice  says  so  plain : 
Weep  not,  Sionilli,  you  will  meet  him  again. 

How  can  I  leave  thee,  Nilli?    How  can  I  part  from  thee? 

Thy  tendrills  still  are  clinging,  I  cannot  tear  them  free ! 
They  twine  about  my  heart,  so  closely  do  they  grow, 
Oh,  my  Sionilli !     I  cannot,  will  not  go ! 

Remember,  dear  Alfonso,  the  prizes  you  would  seek, 
For  your  youth  and  for  me,  you  will  not  now  be  weak ; 
Take  this  kiss,  dear  Fonso,  my  last  good-bye  to  you, 
God  bless  and  protect  my  Fonso — Adieu  !  Adieu  ! ! 

When  red  of  dawn  did  tint  the  sky,  above, 

A  falcon  pursued  a  pure  white  dove ; 
The  dove  in  its  flight,  so  full  of  alarm. 
Sailed  down,  and  did  nestle  in  Xilli's  anr. 

Now  are  the  fates  with  us  !    Oh,  Fonso.    See ! 

The  emblem  of  hope  comes  to  bide  with  me ! 
Until  you  do  return,  be  it  soon  or  late, 
Shall  this  bird  of  promise  be  my  only  mate! 


You  Dreamed  on  the  Chess-Board  of  Life.  61 

AD  INTERUM. 

MYSTERY. 


Who  is  mated  now?    Have  we  been  playing  chess? 

I  heard  you  say  mate,  but  where  is  the  game? 
Not  a  chess-man  in  sight  and  I  rather  guess 

That  I  was  asleep  and  dreaming,  again. 

Yes,  dreaming  a  mate,  you  most  truly,  have  been, 

Said  John.     You  dreamed,  on  the  chess-board  of  life 

A  most  beautiful  mate,  and  a  perfect  queen, 
Who  is  now  waiting  to  become  your  wife. 

You  was  an  old  man.     A  young  maiden  you'd  wed, 

But  papa  objected  to  the  gray  on  your  head  ; 

His  consent  would  he  give,  if  younger  you  would  grow, 
To  the  fountain  of  youth  you  concluded  to  go. 

There  was  put  on  the  stage,  a  balcony  scene : 

A  white  dove  takes  part.    Not  down  on  the  slate — 

Until  you  return,  said  this  beautiful  queen, 
None  other  than  this  dove,  shall  be  my  mate. 

Was  it  I  who  said  mate  ?    Why,  how  can  that  be  ? 
I  am  sure  that  somebody  was  talking  to  me ! 
Oh  I  see  now,  said  John,  your  sense  is  not  dead ; 
Can  you  call  to  your  mind,  ought  else  that  you  said  ? 

No;  from  my  mind,  H'ke  a  dream,  it  all  passed  away — 
Now  read  me  your  notes,  for  I'm  anxious  to  hear 

The  impressions  I  had,  and  what  I  did  say — 
But  where  is  the  ball,  I  have  lost  it,  I  fear. 

It  is  gone,  and  I  did  not  eat  it,  I  am  sure, 
For  I  determined  this  time,  to  hold  it  secure. 


62          Now  We  Are  Told,  They  Make  Youths  of  the  Old. 


Well  that  is  strange,  said  John,  I  don't  understand, 

I  have  not  seen  it  since  you  took  it  in  hend. 
Your  brain  absorbed  it  no  doult,  as  the  words  did  flow 

These  words  I  will  read,  then  to  supper  let's  go. 
This  chapter  contains  but  little  of  mirth, 

Tis  f  :11  cf  premise,  c  f  Ic  ve  :  nd  trouble ; 
The  fun  all  may  come  inside  of  the  earth 

For  you  know  you  said  the  earth  is  double. 

Let's  hear  it  at  once  and  don't  be  too  long, 
I  am  now  all  attention  and  I  pray  you  go  on — 

There  is  one  thing  I  cannot  get  into  my  head. 

How  they  manage  to  live  in  the  earth,  Roy  said. 

That  the  climate's  red  hot,  we've  always  been  told, 
Inside  of  this  planet  of  ours  ; 

But  now  we  are  told,  they  make  youths  of  the  old, 
And  time  there,  has  lost  all  its  powers. 

On  returning  from  their  meal,  John  did  then  suggest 
That  they  take  a  little  stroll  in  this  bright  moonlight. 

And  said  he,  how  bright  the  rays  reflect  from  its  crest ; 
In  our  more  northern  clime,  it  shines  not  so  bright. 

Yes,  said  Roy,  the  walk  let  us  take  and  then  go  to  bed. 

And  that  thing  I  will  try  to  drive  from  my  head : 
I  cannot  hold  my  thoughts  to  remain  anywhere. 
Or  concentrate  my  mind  on  the  moons  to  compare. 

Xcxt  morning  Roy  awoke,  and  roused  John  from  sleep, 
Suggesting  they  would  take  their  usual  walk : 

Then  when  they  returned,  and  their  breakfast  did  eat, 
Go  at  once  to  their  room,  and  continue  the  talk. 


As  He  Spoke  of  the  Wind,  the  Waves  and  the  Deep.         63 


For,  said  he,  I'm  too  anxious  that  mystery  to  know, 

To  delay  our  sitting  another  half  day. 
Our  letters,  to-day,  can  we  not  let  them  go. 

For  sake  of  the  story?    Now,  what  do  you  say? 
Well,  said  John,  I've  no  objections  to  make, 
For  all  the  night  long,  that  kept  me  awake. 

At  once  I'll  arise  and  we  will  take  our  walk 

And  right  after  breakfast,  go  on  with  the  talk. 

At  the  sitting  tefore,  Roy  said  he  felt  strained  ; 

To  recline  on  the  bed  was  the  best  he  believed — 
As  the  lid,  they  removed,  once  more  John  exclaimed, 

A  genuine  ruby,  or  I  am  deceived ! 
A  more  beautiful  gem,  there  never  was  one ! 

No  reply  did  Roy  make.  He  was  fast  asleep, 
And  again  in  the  trance,  his  talking  went  on, 

As  he  spoke  of  the  wind,  the  waves  and  the  deep. 


64  Then  Comes  the  Cry,  FaieiceH !  I-arei^ell ! ! 


CHAPTER  Y. 

Parting — The  Anchor  Weighed — On  Billows  Blue — Farewell — Be 
calmed — Storm — A  Gallant  Fight — A  Master  Hand  at  the  Wheel — The 
Storm  Fiend  Subdued — In  the  New  World — Ad  Interum. 


FAREWELL  ! 


With  rising  sun's  first  shining'  rays. 
The  noble  ship,  its  anchor  weighs ; 
Each  at  his  post,  the  busy  crew, 
While  friends  bid  friends,  their  last  adieu. 
On  emerald  waves,  the  breakers  passed, 
The  sun  now  gilds  the  towering  mast ; 
The  sails  are  set  on  billows,  blue, 
The  land  sinks  slowly  from  the  view. 

The  sky  descends  on  every  hand, 
And  smaller  grows  our  native  land. 
Till  fading  light  leaves  but  a  gleam  ; 
Our  homes  pass  from  us  like  a  dream. 
The  gaze  is  fixed,  with  sob  and  sigh. 
To  where  the  waters  meet  the  sky ; 
We  feel  deserted  and  alone  ; 
The  curtain  drops  on  scenes  of  hoire. 

Fond  memory  clings,  yet,  to  the  shore  ; 
The  parting  kiss  is  felt  once  more ; 
The  kindly  words,  the  warm  embrace 
Comes  floating  on  the  waves"  of  space ; 
But  sadder  thoughts  are  now  in  store : 
Do  we  now  part  forevermore? 
It  strikes  the  heart  as  a  tolling  bell : 
Then  comes  the  crv,  farewell !  farewell ! ! 


Oh,  See!    It  Sets  the  Waves  on  Fire!  65 


NIGHT  UPON  THE  DEEP. 


The  day  is  spent,  the  shining  sun 
Now  sinks  to  rest,  its  work  is  done. 
One  good-night  kiss,  and  then  retire — 
Oh,  see !    It  sets  the  waves  on  fire ! 
The  moon  now  rides  the  heavens,  blue, 
As  though  it  would  the  day  renew ; 
It  paints  the  waves,  a  silver  sheen, 
A  more  gorgeous  sight  was  never  seen. 

The  long,  long  day  is  at  its  close 

And  tired  nature  seeks  repose ; 

Within  the  bunk,  to  sleep  we  try, 

While  listening  to  the  lullaby 

That's  patted  on  the  vessel's  side 

By  waves,  through  which  we  cut  and  glide; 

Accompanied  by  the  rigging,  tight, 

While  played  upon  by  breeze  of  night ; 

With  now  and  then  a  flapping  sail, 

At  last  in  sleep  our  senses  fail  ; 

And  then  in  dreams,  the  soul  awakes 

With  friends,  at  home,  'till  morning  breaks. 


66  Up,  Up  She  Goes,  Like  Eagles  Fly. 


BECALMED. 

Such  quiet  reigns  upon  the  deep, 
It  seems  at  dawn  the  world's  asleep ; 
The  sun,  we  fail  to  see  it  rise, 
A  heavy  fog  obscures  the  skies ; 
We  seem  to  be  within  a  dome: 
A  little  world  that's  all  our  own. 
The  ship  itself,  appears  to  sleep, 
So  quiet  do  the  sails  all  keep; 
No  ripples  stir,  no  breezes  pass, 
The  water  is  as  smooth  as  glass; 
For  once,  the  captain  lost  command, 
For  now  his  vessel  is  becalmed. 

THE   STORM. 

But  look  upon  the  sea,  this  way, 
The  ripplets  here  begin  to  play ; 
The  breezes  cause  the  fog  to  rise, 
Exposing  storm-clouds  in  the  skies. 
The  storm-fiends  breath  begins  to  blow  ; 
The  white-caps  roll  like  drifts  of  snow ; 
The  storm  now  breaks  with  hiss  and  moan. 
The  masts  respond  with  creak  and  groan ; 
The  sails  are  furled,  they  brace  the  mast, 
Prepare  to  meet  the  coming  blast. 

Like  stag  in  chace,  up  mountain  side, 
On  waves,  the  ship  does  grandly  ride; 
Up,  up  she  goes,  like  eagles  fly, 
Where  mountain-waves  meet  with  the  skv. 


A  Master  Hand  Is  at  the  Wheel.  67 


Her  masts  are  tossed  like  antlers,  proud, 

She  bids  defiance  to  the  cloud ; 

Then  down  the  mountain  side  does  go, 

Down  in  the  seething  gulf,  below. 

The  wind  and  waves  derisive  sough 

Cries  out,  Ha !  ha !  We've  got  you,  now ; 

But  soon  they're  made  to  know,  and  feel 

A  master  hand  is  at  the  wheel : 

They  break,  they  bow,  they  cringe,  they  cow, 

And  crawl  beneath  the  vessels  prow. 

WESTWARD   HO. 

All  day  long,  and  into  the  night, 
The  gallant  ship  keeps  up  the  fight, 
Until  the  storm-fiend  had  enough 
And  passed  away  with  gentle  puff. 
The  morning  sun  peeps  o'er  the  wave 
And  smiles  upon  the  vessel  brave ; 
To  celebrate  the  victory, 
A  gorgeous  sight,  we  now  can  see; 
Upon  the  waves  a  grand  display, 
Made  by  the  shining  god  of  day. 

The  white  winged  ship,  with  spreaded  sails, 
The  morning  sun,  now  proudly  hails : 
All  is  as  well  as  could  be  desired ! 
And  then  the  morning  gun  is  fired. 
From  rising  sun,  we  sail  away, 
To  meet  again  at  break  of  day. 
From  day  to  day,  the  log  is  run, 
Always  toward  the  setting  sun. 


68  The  Wooded  Hills  Once  More  Are  Seen. 


WELCOME. 

At  last,  a  message  from  the  shore 
Proclaim  the  voyage  nearly  o'er: 
First  the  sea  gulls,  their  welcome  gave, 
Sailing  abort  us  o'er  the  wave ; 
Then  smaller  birds  came  flying  past 
And  stopped  to  twitter  on  the  mast ; 
The  playful  porpoise  skipped  about, 
Rolled  in  the  waves,  and  then  rolled  out. 
The  land,  at  last,  came  into  view 
Like  clouds,  far  o'er  the  billows,  blue. 
The  waves  now  change  to  emerald  green, 
The  wooded  hills  once  more  are  seen. 
The  industrious  sails,  they  now  are  furled 
And  the  anchor  shipped  in  the  Xcw  World. 


Is  He,  Indeed,  Inside  of  the  Ground.  69 


AD  INTERIM. 


DREAMING    AGAIN. 

New  World!     Are  we  inside  of  the  earth  at  last? 

Was  you  not  talking  about  a  new  world? 
We  must  have  been  traveling,  this  time,  pretty  fast, 
Or  were  we  down,  through  a  deep  cavern  cast, 

And  into  this  wonderful  country  hurled. 
Oh !  said  Roy,  I  now  understand — dreaming  again ! 
Well,  what  did  I  say  ?    Please  rise  and  explain ! 

This  fountain  of  youth,  has  Alfonso  yet  found? 

And  is  he,  indeed,  inside  of  the  ground? 

Oh  no,  said  John,  he  is  still  outside  of  the  ball — 

This  chapter  is  but  a  voyage  at  sea, 
And  as  it  is  short  I  will  now  read  it  all, 

Then  at  once  find  out  what  the  next  will  be. 
John  read  his  notes,  then  a  ball  he  did  expose — 

An  opal,  said  Roy,  as  it  dropped  in  his  hand ; 
And  at  once  he  began,  a  tale,  to  disclose, 

Of  Alfonso's  adventures,  in  a  strange  land. 


70  To  Be  Their  Captive,  Slave  or  Brother. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Alfonso  Starts  Alone  to  Seek  the  Fountain—  Captive  with  the  Red 
Man — A  powder  Trick — Great  Manitou — The  Fountain  of  Youth — The 
Indian  Village — An  Old  Chief — The  Wizzard — Weighing  the  Mystery — 
An  Eagle  Flying  High — The  Chief  Dumfounded — The  Red  Man's  Tradi- 
tion— Ad  Interum. 


SEEKING  THE   FOUNTAIN. 


While  o'er  the  wide,  wide  waters,  crossing, 
Upon  its  rolling  billows  tossing, 
I,  your  pschycometer,  kept  thinking, 
From  morning  dawn,  'till  sun  was  sinking, 

Of  the  course  I  would  pursue. 
And  after  full  consideration, 
To  gain  the  needed  information, 
I  thought  that  living  with  the  red  man, 
Learn  about  the  fountain,  from  them, 

Was  the  proper  thing  to  do. 

While  on  the  deck,  the  last  day,  standing, 
I  then  concluded  upon  landing, 
With  my  gun  and  ammunition. 
And  a  small  stock  of  provision, 

To  alone,  the  red  man  seek ; 
To  be  their  captive,  slave  or  brother, 
Remain  with  them,  and  seek  no  further, 
Till  I  learned,  ifrom  their  tradition, 
Of  the  fountain,  its  position. 

And  their  language  learn  to  speak. 


Through  the  Forest,  Walked  Away.  71 

IN  THE  FOREST. 

Therefore,  at  once  upon  my  landing, 
All  the  supplies  I  was  demanding 
For  my  journey,  began  buying, 
And  with  little  extra  trying 

Was  prepared  to  start  next  day. 
At  early  dawn,  while  day  was  breaking, 
Alone,  with  no  companion,  taking, 
Quietly,  to  no  one  speaking, 
I  began  my  fountain  seeking; 

Through  the  forest,  walked  away. 

The  scene,  it  changed  with  passing  hours; 
New  plants,  great  trees  with  fragrant  flowers ; 
And  new  songs  from  songbirds,  thrilling, 
While  I  listen  to  their  trilling 

As  they  sweetly  sang  to  me. 
Such  varied  sights  did  cross  my  vision, 
That  I,  at  times,  forgot  my  mission ; 
When  came  to  view,  a  waterfall, 
Reminding  me  to  drink  from  all 

Though  they  sweet  or  bitter  be. 

Then  did  I  drink  from  from  fountain,  seeping, 
And  from  tiny  streamlet,  creeping; 
From  the  brook,  as  it  ran,  babbling, 
In  the  shaded  pool  now  dabbling. 

Then  the  laughing,  rippling  rill. 
I  traveled  on,  of  rest  not  thinking, 
Until  the  evening  sun  was  sinking; 
Then  I  camped  and  built  a  fire, 
Ate  my  meal  and  did  retire — 

Soon  did  sleep  my  senses  kill. 


72  Am  I  Awake,  or  Am  I  Dreaming? 

CAPTIVE. 

Am  I  wake,  or  am  I  dreaming? 
Are  they  human,  or  are  they  demon? 
Those  tall  forms,  with  mein,  commanding, 
That  are  here,  about  me,  standing 

Are  they  red  men,  whom  I  seek? 
Ye  men  of  earth,  or  art  thou  spirit? 
Your  intention?  pray,  let  n:e  hear  it ! 
Do  not  stand  there,  at  me  staring, 
But  I  pray,  give  me  a  hearing ! 

Yet  not  a  word  would  they  speak. 

I  tried  to  rise  and  look  around  me ; 
'Twas  then  I  ,found  that  they  had  bound  me. 
In  the  night  while  I  was  sleeping, 
Then,  quietly  about  me  creeping, 

With  leather  thongs  they  bound  me  tight. 
While  lying  there,  my  mind  was  active — 
To  learn  of  those  who  held  ire  captive, 
I  studied  well,  their  forms  and  faces, 
With  the  danger  that  menaces, 

Planning  how  to  flee  or  fight. 

Their  vision  sharp,  expression  duller; 
Complexion  red,  or  copper  color; 
Their  form  was  strong,  their  mein  was  grave, 
More  like  the  warrior  than  the  slave — 

Courageous  was  their  bearing. 
Their  garb  was  crude,  there's  no  denying; 
Cut  at  the  edge,  and  sewed  by  tying, 
With  ends  from  seams,  fringes  hanging, 
Made  from  skins,  prepared  by  tanning; 

Though    little   were   they   wearing. 


Thinks  I,  My  Friends,  'Tis  Tit  for  Tat.  73 


Their  raven  locks  o'er  shoulders  spreading, 
Adorned  with  plumes,  of  eagles  shedding; 
Armed  with  quiver,  bow  and  arrow, 
The  chances  seemed  very  narrow 

To  the  one  so  firmly  bound. 
Through  all  my  goods  they  had  been  looking, 
And  now,  no  doubt,  my  food  was  cooking. 
They  ransacked  all  except  my  bed, 
Found  not,  the  knife,  beneath  my  head. 

Placed  where  best  it  could  be  found. 

When  at  the  fire  they  all  did  gather, 
I,  with  my  knife,  the  thongs  did  sever; 
While,  there,  around  the  fire  they-  sat, 
Thinks  I,  my  friends,  'tis  tit  for  tat ; 

And  'tis  I  who  will  command. 
Now,  there  was  scattered  about,  close  by, 
In  water  proof  cloth,  to  keep  it  dry, 
Powder,  its  use  they  not  knowing, 
And  a  package  near  me  throwing, 

Helped  me  do  just  what  I  planned. 

Ah!  thought  I,  just  what  I  require! 
A  package  I  threw  into  the  fire. 
I  then  arose,  attention  drew 
And  pointing,  cried,  great  Manitou ! 

All  went  up  mid  smoke  and  flame. 
There,  like  a  statue,  was  I  standing, 
And  their  attention  thus  commanding, 
Bringing  to  them  a  suggestion, 
Leaving  with  them  an  impression 

That  from  Manitou  I  came. 


74  I  Now  Controlled  the  Situation. 


My  open  hand  I  did  extend  them, 
Saying,  thus,  I  would  befriend  them — 
When  my  meaning  was  understood, 
Then  came  they,  quickly  as  they  could, 

Falling,  prostrate,  to  the  grovnd. 
I  now  controlled  the  situation ; 
A  cause  for  great  congratulation — 
For  these  friends  I  had  compassion, 
Bade  them  rise  and  hunt  the  ration 
That  was  scattered  all  around. 

Now  what  remained  of  my  provision, 
I  found  was  left  in  good  condition  ; 
And,  as  I  was  much  the  older, 
I  put  the  load  on  their  shoulder, 

Thus  from  it  I  was  relieved ; 
Except  the  gun  and  ammunition 
They  must  not  touch,  was  my  decision. 
That  their  illusion  remain  strong 
For  my  own  safety,  right  or  wrong, 

They  must  always  be  deceived. 

They  searched  and  found  most  of  the  ration, 
Prepared  and  cooked  it  in  their  fashion, 
And  offered  me  the  better  part : 
I,  to  impress  them  at  the  start 

Condescendingly  received. 
That  they  might  know  what  I  was  thinking, 
While  at  a  fountain  I  was  drinking, 
I  called  attention  to  my  hair 
Then  did  their  raven  locks  compare ; 

And  my  meaning  they  perceived. 


Then,  Single  File,  They  Started  Walking.  75 


To  show  they  understood  my  meaning, 
They,  like  old  age,  on  cane  went  leaning ; 
Then  walk,  they  would,  swiftly  along, 
Hop,  skip  and  jump,  like  young  and  strong — 

Nor  could  words  more  plainly  say. 
This  gave  me  hope  and  forced  conclusion 
That  the  fount  was  not  delusion; 
The  evidence  sustained  the  truth, 
That  there  is  a  fountain  of  youth, 

And  I  bade  them  lead  the  way. 

At  first,  in  doubt,  together  talking, 
Then,  single  file,  they  started  walking. 
I  tried  to  follow  on  behind; 
They  walked  too  fast  to  suit  my  mind, 

This,  by  signs,  I  let  them  know. 
My  gun,  I  made  a  crutch,  when  tired; 
To  set  them  thinking,  I  desired : 
To  see  me  shooting  with  my  crutch, 
'Twould  be  the  same  with  all  I'd  touch ; 

They  would  think  I  thundered  so. 

We  traveled  on  till  day  was  dying — 
Great  flocks  of  cranes,  o'er  head  were  flying. 
Now  here,  I  saw  another  chance 
Fcr  their  delusion  to  enhance 

And  mystify  them  more. 
While  busy  with  their  supper,  cooking, 
Taking  my  gun,  when  none  were  looking, 
To  prime  it  well,  I  took  great  pains, 
With  care  I  pointed  at  the  cranes— 

How  the  loaded  gun  did  roar ! 


76  Into  the  Forest,  Little  Knowing. 


Around  the  fire  was  consternation ; 
All  I  had  done  passed  observation. 
They  stood  in  awe,  but  no  one  spoke ; 
They  saw  me  point  at  powder  smoke, 

And  the  dead  bird  at  their  feet. 
They  thought,  by  pointing  with  my  finger, 
Thunder  would  roar,  and  clouds  would  linger. 
And  this  their  minds  did  so  impress, 
It  proved  the  ruse  a  grand  success — 

The  dead  bird  I  bade  them  eat. 

Day  a,fter  day  we  kept  on  going 
Into  the  forest,  little  knowing 
To  what  fate  it  might  be  leading — 
My  mind  was  bent  upon  succeeding 

And  to  all  danger  I  was  blind. 
The  end  now  came  of  weary  tramping — 
I  saw  before  me  thousands  camping 
On  the  banks  of  a  river,  running. 
Directly  from  the  earth  was  coming — 

Thus  the  fountain  I  did  find. 

Around  about  this  noble  fountain 
There  lived  a  people,  thousands,  covnting. 
Here  the  chieftain,  proud  and  lofty, 
With  his  wizzard  sly  and  crafty 

And  his  warriors  bold  and  strong. 
The  patient  mother  at  her  duties. 
With  maidens  plain  and  female  beauties. 
From  the  aged,  whose  forms  are  bending, 
To  the  infant  ere  the  weaning. 

And  of  youths,  a  mighty  throng. 


An  Old  Chief  Was  Near  Me  Standing.  77 


Therefore  at  my  journey's  ending, 

So  great  the  throng  about  me  standing, 

By  so  many  eyes  inspected 

It  made  me  ,feel  somewhat  dejected, 

And  I  now  began  to  ,fear. 
An  old  chief  was  near  me  standing 
With  looks  severe,  and  so  commanding, 
And  his  wizzard  standing  by  him 
With  looks  that  said,  I'd  like  to  try  him, 

Made  me  feel  the  danger  near. 

I  felt  I  was  in  a  position 
Where  I  must  play  on  superstition ; . 
Making  thousands  think,  as  did  the  few, 
That  I  was  sent  by  Manitou — 

Powder  tricks  I  must  repeat — 
I  was  standing  with  fire  near  me; 
To  scare  the  wizzard,  so  he'd  fear  me, 
I  threw  some  ashes  in  the  air 
And  some  I  scattered  here  and  there, 

Placing  a  pile  at  his  feet. 

This  pile,  I  did  with  figures  groove  it, 
Feeling  quite  sure  he  would  move  it; 
At  once  he  with  his  foot  did  scrape 
And  put  my  figures  out  of  shape — 

I  walked  away  in  disgust — • 
The  chief  then  saw  I  was  offended, 
With  look,  the  wizzard  comprehended, 
Told  him  to  interfere  no  more, 
Just  what  I  had  been  fishing  for 

When  I  grooved  the  pile  of  dust. 


78  A  Thousand  Eyes  Were  Closel\  Watching. 


I  felt  that  I  must  do  no  botching, 
A  thousand  eyes  were  closely  watching — 
Now,  in  my  pocket,  for  instant  use 
I  had  some  powder  that  was  loose — 

But  no  powder  must  they  see — 
The  powder  must  be  in  position 
Beneath  that  pile,  without  suspicion. 
A  train  of  it  must  to  me  lead 
If  with  my  plans  I  would  succeed, 

How  to  do  it  puzzled  me. 

The  situation  was  most  trying 

And  quite  serious,  there's  no  denying. 

Looking  to  see  what  I  could  do, 

A  black  charred  log  came  to  my  view — 

Plainly  then  I  saw  my  way — 
The  grooves  and  lines,  that  I  was  using. 
Was  for  some  future  act  excusing : 
While  I  was  making  lines  with  care 
I  could  be  placing  powder  there, 

Thus  the  grooves  came  into  play. 

Black  charcoal  from  the  log  now  scraping 
And  finely  crumbled,  like  powder  making, 
Then  some  my  pocket  did  receive, 
That  it  was  charcoal  they'd  believe. 

When  the  powder  I  would  use. 
Now,  in  light  earth  a  figure  tracing. 
And  in  the  grooves  black  charcoal  placing, 
An  image  made,  (near  as  I  could) 
Of  the  wizzard  while  there  he  stood, 

As  though  'twas  done  to  amuse. 


Some  Were  Scared  Almost  to  Dying.  79 


A  furrow  running  my  direction, 
With  powder  I  filled  without  detection  ; 
Dropping  my  ramrod  in  the  fire 
As  if  by  chance  and  not  desire 

At  the  end  was  red  with  heat. 
Pointing  upward  their  attention  drew. 
Then  toward  myself,  cried  Manitou ! 
The  powder  horn  placed  at  my  head 
And  at  the  wizzard  pointing,  said 

A  devil  from  head  to  feet. 

As  if  I  now  the  first  time  spying 
My  ramrod,  in  the  fire  lying, 
It,  I  quickly  from  the  fire  drew 
Then  at  the  wizzard  I  went  piih, 

As  I  did  explode  the  mound. 
Ashes  and  smoke  in  air  went  flying. 
And  some  were  scared,  almost  to  dying — 
The  crowd,  it  scattered  far  and  wide, 
The  chief,  alone,  stood  by  my  side, 

The  wizzard  lay  on  the  ground. 

The  old  chief  stood,  no  fear  displaying ; 
I  saw  he  was  the  mystery  weighing — 
The  wizzard  was  but  little  hurt, 
His  skin  was  singed,  and  black  with  dirt, 

He  had  swooned  away  with  fear. 
But  with  the  chieif  so  closely  spying, 
Results  were  not  so  gratifying ; 
Something  convincing  I  must  do, 
What  it  would  be,  I  hardly  knew — 

The  solution  it  was  near. 


8o  The  Bird  Came  Tumbling  O'er  and  O'er. 


High  over  head,  an  eagle,  flying, 
Gave  me  a  chance  for  once  more  trying — 
Pointing  at  plumes  the  old  chielf  wore, 
Then  up  to  where  the  bird  did  soar — 

To  shoot  it,  the  chance  was  slim. 
My  gun,  as  crutch  now  on  it  leaning, 
So  he  would  not  catch  its  meaning, 
I  slipped  some  powder  in  the  pan — 
To  shoot  the  bird,  it  was  my  plan, 

And  the  feathers  give  to  him. 

Although  the  eagle,  high,  was  flying, 

I  thought  the  chance  was  worth  the  trying  — 

The  chief  was  startled  by  the  roar, 

The  bird  came  tumbling  o'er  and  o'er 

And  fell  fluttering  to  the  ground. 
This  was  beyond  his  calculation, 
He  looked  at  me  with  consternation, 
He  picked  it  up,  the  bird  was  dead. 
The  plumes,  I  stuck  around  his  head 

And  thus  his  friendship  bound. 

Conditions  soon  became  assuring, 
My   friendship  with   the   chief,   seer  ring 
Good  will  of  all,  and  by  degrees 
They  left  me  do  just  as  I  please, 

This  greatly  helped  my  mission. 
Much  of  my  tiire  I  spent  discerning 
Their  modes  of  life,  their  language  learning- 
I  asked  the  chief  abort  the  ,fount, 
He  gave  to  me  in  full  account 

The  following  tradition : 


Thus  the  Fountain  Did  Command.  81 


THE  FOUNTAIN  OF  YOUTH. 


The  mighty  chief,  great  Ogalloo, 
Once  heard  the  voice  of  Manitou 
Talking  to  him  in  seeming  rage 
About  his  form  so  bent  with  age, 

With  the  fount  so  near  at  hand. 
Looking  down,  through  his  night  eye  peeping, 
He  saw  old  age  on  people  creeping. 
Ashamed,  he  was  of  this  disgrace; 
Drawing  a  curtain  o'er  his  face 

Thus  the  fountain  did  command : 

Back  to  the  land  of  youth  recede 
And  there  upon  its  virtues  feed ; 
Bring  youth  and  vigor  in  thy  store 
To  feed  these  people  on  thy  shore, 

That  their  youth  may  with  them  stay. 
Go  chief,  he  said,  thy  slumber  taking, 
Be  sure  you  wake  as  day  is  breaking; 
Before  the  Day  God  tints  the  skies, 
From  thy  slumbering  bed,  arise, 

To  the  fountain  haste  away. 

When  morning  did  break 

The  chief  did  awake, 
He  hastened  off  down  to  the  shore ; 

At  the  fountain's  brink 

He  though  he  would  drink 
As  oftentimes  did  he  before. 


82  And  His   Youth  Came  to  Him  Again. 


No  water  was  there 

And  in  great  despair, 
He  stood  in  the  basin  spell-bound; 

He  heard  a  voice  say 

Go  bathe  in  the  spray 
When  the  water  returns  from  the  ground. 

There  in  his  old  age, 

On  the  brink  of  life's  stage, 
When  but  few  more  years  would  remain, 

He  drank  and  did  bathe, 

In  the  return  wave, 
And  to  him  his  youth  came  again. 

Now  with  all,  this  faith  is  abiding : 
When  shadows  come,  the  full  moon  hiding, 
The  time  is  ripe,  and  then  at  hand 
When  the  fountain  returns  to  land, 

Bringing  youth  to  them  again. 
But  I  knew,  when  the  moon  was  hiding, 
A  solar  eclipse  was  o'er  it  gliding, 
Therefore  my  faith,  it  was  not  great, 
But  still  I  thought  it  best  to  wait 

And  it  might  not  be  in  vain. 


That  Bridged  the  Space  From  Youth  to  Man.  83 


AD  INTERIM. 


YOUTH. 


Youth!  said  Roy,  who  wants  their  youth  again? 

To  walk  barefooted  through  its  stubbles; 
To  cut  their  teeth,  and  bear  the  pain 

With  all  the  other  childhood  troubles. 
Who  wants  schooldays  again  to  come? 

And  have  no  time  for  blowing  bubbles ; 
To  find  they  cannot  solve  the  sum, 

And  many  other  schoolboy  troubles. 


Youth !     Why  to  me  it  seems  the  truth, 
It  is  foolish  to  want  our  youth. 
When  young,  we  thought  how  great  the  span, 
That  bridged  the  space  from  yorth  to  man — 
No  doubt  the  thoughts  stored  in  that  ball 
To  my  memory  did  these  words  recall. 
Well  John,  how  does  the  story  run? 
Tell  me  all  Alfonso  said  and  done. 


84  Alfonso's  Story  Is  Strange  if  the  Truth. 


Alfonso's  story  is  strange  if  the  truth : 

He  passed  through  all  dangers  quite  free  from  harm 
By  the  use  of  his  wits  and  not  his  arm, 

And  discovered  the  red  man's  fountain  of  youth. 

From  tradition  he  learned  that  he  must  wait 
Until  an  eclipse  is  on  the  full  moon — 
A  long  time  it  may  be,  but  possibly,  soon 

He'll  drink  from  the  fountain  and  know  his  fate. 

As  the  dinner  hour  has  passed,  luncheon  we  will  eat, 
Then  what  I  have  written,  to  you  I'll  repeat; 
And  as  the  night  is  cool  we  will  start  a  fire, 
Then  another  ball  exhaust  before  we  retire. 
Sitting  in  their  cosy  room  by  the  light  of  gas, 
They  exposed  another  ball,  a  beautiful  topaz, 
An^  Roy  began  to  talk,  while  holdino-  it  in  hand, 
Of  the  fount  of  youth,  and  a  voice  from  spirit  land. 


As  I  Lay  There,  Thinking,  Dreaming.  85 


CHAPTER  VII. 

On  the  Fountain — Eclipse  of  the  Moon — The  Water  Recedes  Into 
Earth — Drifting  into  Night— Spirit  of  Nilli's  Mother — Passing  Through 
Earth's  Crust — With  a  Stone  for  Altar — Ad  Interum. 


A  VOICE  FROM  SPIRIT  LAND. 


One   night  while   on   the   fountain   floating, 

The  air  was  close  and  warm, 
I  plainly  saw  there,  in  my  musing, 

Sionilli's  face  and  form. 
'At  the  North  star  was  I  gazing, 

Remembering  her  promise,  true, 
"When  the  North  star  meets  my  vision 

All  my  thoughts  will  be  with  you." 


As  I  lay  there,  thinking,  dreaming, 

With  the  bright  full  moon  above, 
Again  I  saw  their  forms  so  plainly, 

Sionilli  and  the  dove. 
Saw  them  on  the  vessel  riding, 

Then  she  sprang  into  the  sea, 
And  I  heard  her  plainly  saying 

Alfonso,  I  come  to  thee 


86  Bore  Me  From  the  Light  of  Day. 


Then  did  words  of  the  tradition 

With  my  thoughts  become  atune, 
As  I  saw  dark  shadows  creeping, 

Creeping  slowly  o'er  the  moon; 
Creeping,  oh!   so  slowly  creeping 

That  I  ,felt  I  could  not  wait 
Till  the  time  to  drink  the  water 

That  would  tell  me  of  my  fate. 

Now  the  stars,  more  brightly  shining 

As  the  shadows  darker  grew, 
All  at  once,  while  I  was  watching, 

Did  they  disappear  from  view ; 
Feeling,  of  the  greatest  wonder 

To  my  mind  did  this  give  birth, 
For  I  knew  not  that  the  waters 

Were   receding  into  earth. 

Thinking  only,  that  the  shadows 

Covered  both  the  stars  and  moon, 
For  I  knew  not  I  was  drifting, 

Drifting  onward  to  my  doom ; 
Till  I  heard  the  waters  rushing 

And  my  boat  grate  on  the  wall, 
Then  remembering  the  tradition 

I  did  comprehend  it  all. 

Then  to  check  the  onward,  rushing, 

I  did  try  in  every  way; 
But  the  boat,  it  kept  on  going; 

Bore  me  from  the  light  of  day. 


Oh!  My  God,  Can  This  Be  Right?  87 


Bore  me  onward  in  the  darkness, 
Onward,  onward  into  night; 

Then  did  I  cry  out  in  anguish. 
Oh !  My  God,  can  this  be  right  ? 

Thus  to  bring  two  lives  together, 

Have  them  live  to  grow  as  one, 
Just  to  tear  those  lives  assunder 

But  a  few  years  later  on? 
Oh  my  Nilli,  must  I  leave  thee, 

In  the  darkness  here  to  die ! 
Fare  the  well  my  Sionilli ! 

Hear  me  say  my  last  good-bye ! 

But  hark !  Is  it  a  voice  I  hear 

In  this  stigian  darkest  tomb? 
That  to  me  so  plainly  says : 

Alfonso,  shake  off  thy  gloom ! 
Fear  me  not,  'tis  Isabella, 

Your  cousin's  voice  you  hear ; 
And  soon  she  will  be  with  you 

Her  form  and  face,  it  will  appear. 

Then  the  darkness  it  grew  brighter 

And  a  mystic  glow  was  here ; 
Plainly  there  within  a  halo 

Did  her  face  and  form  appear. 
It  was  Sionilli's  mother 

In  her  form  so  pure  and  bright, 
With  angel  smile  was  saying: 

I  am  with  you  here  to-night. 


Did  They  Know  There  Is  No  Death. 


When  you  thought  that  I  was  dying, 

Saw  the  life  and  death  in  strife, 
It  was  but  the  bud  expanding, 

Blossoming  to  higher  life. 
When  you  thought  that  I  had  left  you 

'Till  the  resurrection  day, 
I  was  trying  hard  to  tell  you 

That  I  would  with  Nilli  stay. 

When  you  saw  my  senseless  body 

Lying  there  a  mould  of  clay, 
How  I  tried  then,  to  impress  you 

/  ivas  not  in  death's  decay — 
Oh !  to  those  who  think  they're  dying, 

Struggling  so  to  keep  their  breath, 
How  sweet  to  them  would  te  the  changing, 

Did  they  know,  there  is  no  death. 

I  have  been  with  you  and  Nilli 

Ever  since  I  lost  my  breath ; 
To  impress  you,  I  was  trying, 

But  you  thought  me  cold  in  death. 
Had  you  known  that  I  was  living, 

Living  here  and  not  above, 
On  the  pathway  of  your  thinking 

Could  I  come  to  those  I  love. 

But  so  often  would  your  thinking 

Send  me  from  you,  ifar  away ; 
Send  me  to  that  far  off  heaven, 

Close  the  gates  and  bid  me  stay; 


Bringing  Friends  to  Friends,  Again.  89 


Little  knowing  that  your  thinking- 
Was  my  pathway  to  your  brain, 

Which,  without  your  memory  leading 
I  would  strive  to  find,  in  vain. 

Oh !  the  cruel  thought  of  dying ! 

Leaving  not  the  gates  ajar; 
Parting  friends,  perhaps  forever, 

By  forgetting  that  they  are ; 
By  forgetting  their  existence 

That  no  pathway  will  remain, 
Leading  back  to  recognition, 

Bringing  friends  to  friends,  again ! 

I  have  been  with  you  and  Nilli, 

Ever  with  my  precious  dove, 
Molding  her  affections  for  you, 

Impressing  you  with  mother-love ; 
But  the  shadows  now  are  breaking, 

Soon  my  form  will  fade  away, 
Don't  forget  that  I  am  living 

And  with  you  and  Nilli  stay. 

Through  earth's  crust  you  now  are  gliding 

You  will  better  understand 
When,  the  darkness  disappearing, 

You  will  view  an  inner-land. 
Be  not  despondent,  dear  Alfonso, 

What  I  tell  you  is  the  truth : 
Sionilli  now  awaits  you, 

Waiting  near  the  land  of  youth. 


90  Back  to  Life  and  Light  Again. 


Her  face  and  form  now  growing  dimmer, 

From  my  vision  passed  away, 
As  the  darkness  it  grew  brighter, 

Brighter  like  the  dawn  of  day ; 
And  before  me  was  a  glimmer 

Like  a  twinkling  star,  at  night, 
Coming  closer,  growing  larger — 

'Twas  an  opening  into  light. 

Soon,  the  waters  floating  through  it 

On  its  bosom,  was  I  born 
From  the  blackest  stygian  darkness, 

To  the  smiling  light  of  morn ; 
From  desponding  desperation 

To  the  hope  I  thought  was  vain, 
From  the  doom  I  thought  was  coming, 

Back  to  life  and  light,  again. 

I  was  now  within  a  cavern 

With  towering  walls  on  every  hand, 
And  ahead  a  little  distance 

Did  the  stream  flow  into  land. 
I  seized  a  limb,  there  overhanging, 

And  my  boat  I  drew  to  shore, 
In  a  nook  secured  it  firmly 

And  was  safe  on  land  once  more. 

When  I  stepped  upon  the  landing 
Where  the  towering  walls  arose, 

Like  a  grand  old  chapel,  seeming, 
Did  these  mighty  walls  inclose. 


And  Here,  With  Rock  for  Altar.  91 


And  here,  with  rock  for  altar, 
Where  'no  foot  had  ever  trod 

I  bowed  me  down  with  gratitude 
In  thankful  prayer  to  God. 

Now  there  came  to  me  an  answer 

To  my  question  in  the  night, 
As  if  a  voice  was  plainly  saying : 

All  that  God  will  do  is  right; 
But  your  mind's  the  only  pathway 

Over  which  his  will  can  come; 
If  this  way  be  closed  by  doubting 

Then  his  Will  cannot  be  done. 


92  The  Rails  May  Spread  Under  Him. 


AD  INTERIM. 


A   DARK   DREAM. 

Well,  said  Roy,  as  he  arose  from  the  bed, 

'Twas  an  awfnl  dark  dream  that  passed  through  my  head 

In  a  dungeon  most  dark  the  time  did  pass 

From  the  time  I  touched  that  yellow  topaz; 

'Twas  never  so  dark  from  the  day  of  my  birth — 

Oh !  say  John,  have  I  been  inside  of  the  earth  ? 

Pray  enlighten  me,  John,  in  all  that  was  said 

From  the  moment  when  I  reclined  on  the  bed. 

Yes  Roy,  Alfonso  passed  through  the  crust  of  the  world 

As  you  did  suggest,  through  a  chasm  was  hurled 

In  darkness  so  intense,  destruction  seemed  his  doom. 

But  safely  did  he  land  in  a  rather  small  room. 

In  a  very  deep  cavern  indeed,  was  he  hurled, 

There  amid  towering  crags,  shut  out  from  the  world ; 

And  at  his  journey's  end,  for  I  very  much  doubt 

If  another  trick  he'll  find  that  will  help  him  out. 

No  danger  there,  said  Roy,  Fonso  will  do  his  part ; 
If  they  catch  him  napping,  they'll  be  awfrl  smart, 
For  if  the  troubles  come  and  pile  around  him,  thick, 
All  emergencies  he'll  meet,  and  that  pretty  quick. 
He  started  out  to  win,  and  no  power  can  hold  him  back, 
The  rails  may  spread  under  him  but  he'll  keep  the  track; 
He  will  reach  his  journey's  end,  he  feels  this  is  true, 
Faith  in  his  destiny  is  bound  to  see  him  through. 


Nilli  Now  Awaits  Yon.  93 


Oh !  I  forgot  to  tell  you,  Roy,  to  Fonso,  in  earth's  shell 
Isabella's  spirit  came,  and  this  to  him  did  tell : 
Nilli  now  awaits  you,  near  the  land  of  youth,  she  said ; 
But  how  she  ever  got  there,  I  can't  get  through  my  head. 
Fonso  was  on  the  fountain  when  the  stream  flowed  into  land ; 
That  through  earth's  shell  he  floated,  I  can  understand, 
But  how  could  Sionilli  who  lived  way  off  in  Spain, 
Get  there  before  he  did,  to  me  is  not  so  plain. 

Read  your  notes  to  me,  said  Roy,  and  I  may  find  the  key — 

Fonso  says  when  in  dreams,  asleep  in  his  canoe, 
From  a  vessel  deck  he  saw  her  plunge  into  the  sea, 

She  no  doubt  did  also  find  an  opening  straight  through — 
While  wasting  time  to  speculate  on  the  how  and  where 

Raise  that  lid,  no  doubt  you'll  find  a  ifull  solution  there. 
John  raised  the  lid  and  brought  to  view  an  agate,  striped  about, 

Which  spoke  of  Fonso  'mid  those  walls,  and  how  he  did  get 
out. 


94  Down  in  This  Cavern,. Deep,  Confined. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Down  In  a  Deep  Cavern  Confined--A  Collosal  Tree — Alfonso 
Dreams — Knock  and  It  Will  Open  Unto  Thee — A  Dwelling  in  the  Tree 
—The  Way  Out — Starts  With  the  Pack  and  Gun— Upon  the  Mountain 
Crest — A  Wonderful  View — The  Inner  Land — From  the  Fountain  to  the 
Sea — The  Dwelling  Place  of  Man — Rules  the  Master  O'er  the  Slave — The 
Serpent's  Charm — A  Victim  Hypnotized — Not  Your  Child  But  the 
Horrid  Reptile  Dies — Ad  Interum. 


NIL   DESPERANDUM. 


Down  in  this  cavern  deep,  confined, 

Am  I  doomed  to  live  and  die? 
The  crags,  they  rise  on  every  side, 

Ledge  on  ledge,  they  reach  the  sky : 
No  exit  through  these  walls  I  find, 

No  opening  can  I  see, 
There  is  no  way  I  can  devise 

That  will  help  to  set  me  free. 

Now,  to  keep  it  from  the  natives, 

In  the  locker  I  did  hide 
A  full  store  of  provisions ; 

(The  gun  I  kept  at  my  side) 
Therefore  was  I  well  provided 

For  such  an  emergency — 
Breakfast  from  this  store  now  eating, 

Soon  did  sleep  steel  over  me. 


For  Up  Among  the  Tozvering  Cliffs.  95 


While  I  lay  here  soundly  sleeping, 

Did  the  stream  resume  its  course ; 
To  the  fountain  was  returning 

With  a  rushing  torrent  force; 
To  the  roojf,  the  cavern  filling, 

Closing  where  I  floated  through, 
'Till  the  level  of  the  water 

Hid  the  opening  from  view. 

But  remembering  how  all  troubles 

That  arose  along  my  way, 
Disappeared  like  passing  shadows 

From  the  bright  sunlight  of  day, 
Then  I  cried,  Nil  Desperandum, 

I  will  have  no  worrying  care ! 
Not  until  my  breathing  ceases 

Will  I  give  up  in  despair ! 

Far  up  among  the  towering  cliffs 
The  sky  was  clear  and  blue, 

But  no  sun  in  sight  was  seen, 

It,  no  doubt,  had  passed  from  view 

Thinking  the  day  was  near  its  close 
I  prepared  for  coming  night ; 

I  gathered  fuel  to  build  a  fire, 
Cook  my  food  and  give  me  light. 

Now  here  against  the  wall  there  stood, 
And  so  close  it  seemed  a  part, 

A  tree-trunk  that  was  colossal 

Full  four  feet  from  bark  to  heart. 


96  In  the  Power  That  Shapes  the  End. 


Out  from  the  trunk,  the  branches  spread 
And  so  closely  did  they  grow, 

A  perfect  shelter  from  the  weather 
Was  there,  on  the  ground  below, 

Here  with  the  fuel  I  built  a  fire 

And  while  yet  the  day  was  light, 
Brought  from  the  boat  all  I'd  require 

For  my  comfort  in  the  night. 
I  cooked  and  ate  my  evening  meal 

Then  declining  light  of  day 
Soothed  my  mind  as  a  lullaby, 

So  like  a  dream  it  passed  away. 

So  gradual  came  the  shade  of  night, 
That  with  day's  departing  gleam 
Once  more  did  slumber  close  my  eyes 

In  sleep,  to  dose,  then  to  dream. 
And  Isabella,  in  my  dreams, 

Once  more  was  by  my  side — 
Fear  not,  said  she,  your  way  seems  closed. 

Firmly  in  your  Ifaith  abide. 

Plainly  in  dreams,  her  form  stood  there 

Tapping  softly  on  the  tree. 
Alfonso,  knock,  I  heard  her  say, 

It  will  open  unto  thee. 
Remember  that  there  is  a  friend, 

Do  not  falter,  do  not  doubt ; 
In  the  power  that  shapes  the  end 

Trust,  and  it  will  lead  thee  out. 


/  Thought  It  No  Use  to  Try.  97 


Awaking  from  my  dreams,  next  morn, 

In  such  ethereal  light, 
That  perimeated  everything 

So  every  nook  was  bright ; 
Not  like  the  sun's  refracted  rays, 

But  a  more  ethereal  glow, 
Nor  did  those  mighty  towering  walls 

Cast  their  shadows  down  below. 

While  lying  there  and  pondering  how 

This  mystery  could  be  explained, 
I  noticed  that  the  limbs  were  wet 

And  dripped  as  though  it  rained ; 
The  night  was  clear,  the  morning  bright 

And  no  clouds  were  in  the  sky— 
'Twas  a  problem  I  con  Id  not  solve, 

I  thought  it  no  use  to  try. 

My  last  night's  dream  now  came  to  mind 

And  I  wondered  what  it  meant, 
For  this  strange  dream  I  had  no  doubt 

Was  a  message  to  me  sent. 
Knock,  it  said,  but  where  shall  I  knock  ? 

This  did  greatly  puzzle  me — 
While  pondering  T  took  the  axe 

And  pounded  on  the  tree. 

The  trunk  was  nothing  but  a  shell 
I  concluded  from  the  sound ; 

A  better  shelter  it  would  make 
Than  sleeping  on  the  ground : 


98  This  to   Me   Was  a  Paradox. 


Therefore,  with  my  ax  I  did  cut 

An  opening  for  a  door. 
And  found  the  space  within  the  tree 

Was  eight  feet  square,  or  more. 


This  to  me  was  a  paradox, 

For  the  room  within  the  tree 
Was  twice  as  large  as  the  shell 

Had  space  on  the  ground  to  be. 
The  trunk  had  grown  along  the  rocks 

Fully  eight  feet  it  is  true, 
But  from  the  front  back  to  the  wall 

It  was  hardly  four  feet  through. 

Am  I  deceived  as  to  those  walls? 

And  possibly,  can  it  be 
That  there  is  an  opening  in  the  cliff 

And  a  space  behind  the  tree? 
Once  more  I  pounded  with  n\v  axe 

And  it  gave  a  hollow  sornd  ; 
Then  peeking  through  a  hole.  I  made. 

I  saw  it  was  open  grornd. 


An  opening  in  the  cliff,  I  see, 
That  the  tree  in  growing  fills ! 

A  gorge,  that  leads  between  the  bluffs, 
Far  out  among  the  hills ! 


A  Dwelling  in  the  Tree.  99 


This  mighty  tree,  once  but  a  twig, 

Did  grow  from  wall, 
Which  did  in  time  the  opening  fill, 

Leaving  no  space  at  all. 

Now  with  my  axe,  an  opening 

I  thought  to  cut,  with  care, 
A  slab  for  door,  that  I  could  close 

And  fasten,  when  not  there ; 
I  did  not  know  what  coming  time 

Might  have  in  store  for  me, 
Here  T  could  have  a  shelu-red  spot, 

A  dwelling  in  the  tree. 

I  gathered  leaves  along  the  bluff 

And  piled  them  on  the  floor ; 
Then  over  this  I  spread  my  furs, 

A  soft  bed  I  had  once  more. 
My  stores,  I  brought  them  from  the  boat, 

And  the  boat  I  hid  away ; 
Prepared  my  journey  to  resume 

At  the  dawn  of  coming  day. 

Waking  next  morn  with  grateful  heart 

That  my  way  was  made  so  clear, 
With  faith  renewed,  of  being  led, 

I  arose  with  hope  and  cheer ; 
My  morning  meal  I  first  did  eat, 

Then,  with  my  packing  done, 
I  closed  my  house  within  the  tree 

And  started  with  pack  and  gun. 


ioo  And  Reached  the  Mountain  Top. 


The  way  now  led  between  the  cliffs 

Whose  tops  did  pierce  the  sky ; 
But  as  I  walked  my  pathway  rose, 

The  buffs  seemed  not  so  high. 
At  last  I  came  among  the  hills 

Where  ledges  all  di'd  stop, 
From  hill  to  hill  I  mounted  up 

And  reached  the  mountain's  top. 

Oh,  such  a  vision  met  my  gaze, 

In  such  a  wonderous  light ! 
Above,  the  sky  was  bright  and  blue, 

But  with  no  sun  in  sight ! 
The  mellow  light  of  early  dawn, 

A  soft,  etheral  glow, 
Yet  bright  as  light  of  mid-day  sun 

Smiled  on  the  world,  below. 

Far  and  near  the  mountain  tops 

Like  glistening  snow  did  gleam, 
And  down  below  the  mountain  sides 

Were  dressed  in  emerald  green ; 
The  rivers,  winding  in  and  out 

Among  the  wooded  hills, 
Their  young,  they  to  their  bosoms  take, 

The  creeks,  the  brooks  and  rills. 

Sparkling  in  the  open  glade 

Like  a  wriggling  silver  snake  ; 
Rolling,  tumbling  o'er  the  rocks. 
Sleeping  in  the  placid  lake ; 


From   the  Fountain   to   the  Sea.  101 


Then  through  green  fields  of  grass  and  grain, 
Down  the  channel,  once  more  free, 

Gathering  volume,  as  they  flow 
From  the  fountain  to  the  sea. 

No  savage  land  here  meets  the  view, 

But  to  me,  oh  what  a  charm 
Is  in  that  dwelling  place  of  man, 

And  the  cabins  on  his  farm  ! 
Here  mid  broad  fields  of  cotton,  white, 

Waving  corn  and  sugar-cane, 
And  there,  like  golden  sunset  scene, 

Rolling  plains  of  golden  grain  ! 

Oh,  can  this  be  that  inner-land 

Isabella  said  I'd  see? 
But  where's  the  sun?  Nowhere  it  shines, 

Does  earth's  crust  hide  it  from  me? 
If  this  be  so,  whence  come  these  rays, 
This  soft  melifluous  light? 
And  with  no  sun  to  rule  the  days 

What  causes  the  day  and  night  ? 

Twas  a  weary  tramp  among  the  hills 

Climbing  to  the  mountain's  crest, 
My  tired  limbs  became  so  weak, 

Warning  me  to  stop  and  rest ; 
And  lying  down  I  fell  asleep, 

Slumbering  on  a  grassy  bed, 
There  in  my  dreams  I  saw  the  route, 

Down  the  mountain  it  led. 


IO2  Hoping  There  to  Find  a  Friend. 


Down  the  mountain  side  mid  bluffs  and  rocks 

And  throrgh  vegetation  rank, 
A  1  eaten  path  to  a  hamlet  led 

Close  beside  the  river  bank. 
\Yith  gun  and  pack  I  hastened  on. 

That  before  the  day  would  end, 
I'd  reach  this  dwelling  place  of  man 

Hoping  there  to  find  a  friend. 


That  dwelling  with  so  many  cabins, 

To  my  mind  this  thought  it  gave : 
In  this  grand  and  fertile  country 

Ruled  the  master  o'er  the  slave ; 
And  to  show  how  well  I  reasoned. 

That  my  inference  was  true, 
Down  the  path  a  little  distance 

Stood  a  maid  of  ebon  hve ; 
Playing  near  her  was  an  infant, 

Golden  locks,  and  face  so  fair, 
Plainly  said  a  slave  in  bondage 

Watching  o'er  the  infant  there. 


Xow.  just  as  I  had  thus  concluded, 

A  look  of  horror  on  her  face, 
Caused  me  to  wonder  at  its  meaning 

And  to  walk  with  hurried  pace — 
The  girl  stood  where  the  bluff  had  ended, 

Just  ahead  was  open  lawn — 
I  reached  the  spot,  'twas  but  a  moment. 

There  the  sight  I  looked  upon 


Just  as  Helpless  as  the  Dead. 


103 


Destroyed  in  me  all  power  of  action, 
All  my  reasoning  senses  fled ; 

And  for  a  time  I  stood  there  staring 
Just  as  helpless  as  the  dead. 


A  VICTIM  HYPNOTIZED. 


Close  to  the  rock  the  infant  wandering 

Where  it  seemed  to  be  at  play ; 
Now  here  then  there  ,the  child  was  running, 

Looking  always  but  one  way ; 


104  Save  My  Child!.  Oh  Save  My  Child! 


With  eyes  protruding,  staring,  staring 

At  an  opening  in  the  rock ; 
'Twas  there  we  saw  the  horrid  object 

That  gave  our  sences  such  a  shock. 

Along  the  ledge  full  thirty  feet 

Lay  a  reptile,  black  as  night, 
With  fiery  eyes  fixed  on  the  child 

Like  electric  sparks  of  light. 
Knowing  the  serpent's  power  to  charm, 

I  now  fully  realized, 
The  child  was  by  its  subtle  power 

Held  a  victim,  Hypnotised. 

As  the  serpent  forward  moves  its  head 

Wider  do  those  jaws  extend  ; 
The  victim's  powers  are  paralyzed, 

Soon  its  youthful  life  must  end ; 
But  No !  I  cried,  this  shall  not  be ! 

I,  that  youthful  life  will  save ! 
Though  my  body  takes  its  place 

And  in  the  reptile  finds  a  grave ! 

When  the  mother  heard  the  servant  scream, 

She  hastened  there  in  terror,  wild ; 
With  such  pleading  looks  that  plainly  said: 

Save  my  child  !    Oh,  save  my  child  ! 
Her  trembling  form  fell  to  the  grornd 

When  she  saw  the  horrid  sight, 
And  sobbing,  moaned,  Oh  save  my  child 

From  the  demon  of  the  night ! 


Not  Your  Child,  But  the  Horrid  Reptile  Dies.  105 


But  what  can  I  do  to  save  the  child, 

I  dare  not  shoot  for  fear  I'll  miss — 
My  powers  returned,    I  seized  a  limb 

And  swung  me  up  the  precipice. 
As  with  axe  its  spinal  chord  I  cut 

My  relieved  emotion  cries  : 
My  aim  was  true,  it's  not  your  child, 

But  the  horrid  reptile  dies ! 


io6  Could  It  Be  the  Creator's  Plan. 


AD  INTERIM. 


HYPNOTISM 


From  that  awful  reptile  oh  save  me !  Roy  said, 
As  from  trance  he  awoke  and  sprang  from  the  bed. 
Such  a  serpent,  the  largest  that  ever  was  seen — 
Oh  now  I  understand !     'Twas  only  a  dream. 
I  am  awfully  glad  that  it  was  not  true. 
For  with  ease,  it  could  swallow  both  me  and  you — 
A  most  horrible  force  with  the  serpent,  lies 
In  its  powers  to  charm,  or  to  hypnotize. 


Could  it  be,  said  John,  the  Creator's  plan, 
To  give  such  a  power  to  serpent  or  man? 
Such  a  power,  would  he  to  an  angel  trust, 
Much  less  to  reptiles  that  crawl  in  the  dust? 
From  the  demon  this  force  they  must  receive, 
Nothing  more  dangerous  to  man  could  be  given, 
Possessing  such  power,  well  might  we  believe 
The  weaker  would  by  the  stronger  be  driven. 


We  Are  Not  Always  on  Guard.  107 


One  mind  might  another  control,  said  Roy, 
If  first  it  can  gain  the  subject's  consent; 
But  without  consent,  none  can  it  employ, 
There  is  nothing  to  fear  in  that  event. 

In  reasoning,  said  John,  one  thing  you  have  missed : 
The  will,  it  is  said,  cannot  be  controlled 
While  'tis  on  its  guard,  the  force  to  resist, 
But  when  off  its  guard  this  reasoning  won't  hold. 
We're  not  always  on  guard — the  child  with  the  snake 
Knew  not  that  a  force  was  impressing  its  will 
Till  the  serpent  controlled,  then  it  could  not  break 
The  charm  that  came  so  unsuspected  and  still. 

When  listening  to  those  possessed  of  this  power. 
How  little  we  know  of  the  charms  they  may  weave ; 
We  may  listen  to  them  a  moment  or  hour, 
Whatever  they  say  our  minds  must  believe. 
The  serpent  weaves  charm  that  its  victim  won't  flee, 
And  by  hypnotic  force  compells  it  to  stay, 
It  is  the  same  force  that  compells  us  to  see 
And  accept  for  the  truth,  all  that  they  may  say. 

If  'tis  true,  said  Roy,  what  you  say  of  the  charm, 
It  should  be  suppressed  ere  it  causes  harm — 
Then  grasping  a  ball,   (a  garnet  deep  red,) 
Of  Alfonso  again  talking,  he  said : 


io8  Doivn  to  the  Rocks  Below. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

The  Accident — A  Grateful  Mother — The  Master  and  the  Slave — 
Right  Earnestly  Did  She  Discuss  With  Me — The  Slave's  Superstition — 
The  Demon  of  the  Night — Alfonso's  Recovery — Worship — Across  the 
Inland  Sea — A  Swift  Voyage — The  Monument — All  are  Free  and  Equal 
Born — Only  Slaves  After  All — The  Sons  of  Patriot  Sires — Their  Birth- 
right Parcelled  to  the  Few — A  New  Acquaintance — The  Brotherhood 
of  Man — An  Invitation — A  Journey — A  Mighty  River — The  Waterfall — 
Bow  of  Peace — Ad  Interum. 


THE     SLAVE 


The  great  black  reptile,  not  content 

With  the  harm  it  had  done, 
Its  squirming  body  writhing  there, 

While  in  its  dying  throes, 
In  contact  with  my  body  came 

Ere  I  had  time  to  run. 
And  knocked  me  from  the  precipice 

Down  to  the  rocks  below. 

In  falling  down  deep,  painful  wounds 
The  rocks  cut  in  my  head  ; 
The  projecting,  jagged  edges 

Cut  me  just  like  a  knife. 
Although  lying  there,  unconscious, 

They  saw  I  was  not  dead, 
And  they  bore  me  to  their  dwelling 

To  nurse  me  back  to  life. 


In  Her  I  Knew  I  Had  a  Friend.  109 


While  lying  there  upon  the  bed 

In  a  clairvoyant  state, 
At  times  their  thoughts  I  plainly  read, 

As  over  me  they'd  bend ; 
The  grateful  mother's  mind  I  read 

As  she  would  mourn  my  fate, 
And  in  this  time  of  need,  I  knew 

In  her,  I  had  a  friend. 

By  reading  thought,  I  learned  to  talk 

In  their  own  dialect 
So  all  that  they  would  say,  to  me 

The  meaning  was  quite  plain ; 
And  while  recovering  from  the  wounds 

And  of  their  bad  effect, 
Much  knowledge  of  their  ways  o,f  life 

Did  I  thus  obtain. 

Two  spheres  of  life,  as  far  apart 

As  animal  and  man, 
I  found  there  was  existing  here 

The  master  and  the  slave: 
The  master  claiming  that  it  was 

The  Great  Creator's  plan, 
The  slave  should  toil  without  the  hope 

To  either  make  or  save. 

The  slave  with  aspiration  gone 
Will  kiss  the  hand  that  smites ; 

Without  a  hope  to  lead  them  on 
Incentive  soon  is  dead, 


i  io  Was  Less  Hitman  Than  the  Dog. 


And  with  their  powers  hypnotized 
They  think  not  of  their  rights. 

But  like  whipped  curs,  are  satisfied 
If  they  are  only  fed — 

With  the  kindly  mother's  care 

I  soon  regained  my  strength, 
And  about  the  rights  of  slaves 

Often  in  dialogue 
She  would  with  force,  most  earnestly 

Discuss  with  me  at  length  ; 
Insisting,  always,  that  the  slave 

Was  less  human  than  the  dog. 

I  then  inquired,  how  it  was 

That  one  so  kind  as  she, 
Could  claim  she  had  the  moral  right 

To  own  a  human  soul — 
An  intellectual  sorl,  a  mind 

With  power  to  think  and  see, 
Then  to  assume  the  right  qf  God 

To  dictate  its  controll. 

Said  she,  across  the  inland  sea 

Another  race,  they  say 
Has  views  which  are  the  same  as  yours 

The  bondsmen  should  be  free ; 
But  there  the  few,  they  claim  it  all 

And  with  starvation  pay. 
The  masses  starve,  and  then  control 

With  lash  of  poverty. 


The  Hired  Slave  Starvation  Dreads.  us 


Tis  true,  I  said,  all  are  not  free, 

Necessity's  a  rod 
With  which  the  few  in  bondage,  hold 

The  balance  of  mankind. 
The  birthright  of  humanity 

Supplied  :for  all,  by  God, 
The  few  control,  and  with  this  rod 

The  masses  rule  and  bind. 

When  stern  necessity  demands, 

They  toil  from  year  to  year, 
The  hired  slaves  starvation  dread 

Should  they  not  earn  their  pay ; 
The  slaves  in  bondage  toil,  because 

The  dreaded  lash  they  fear, 
As  slaves  in  either  case,  they  must 

A  master's  will  obey. 

The  reptile  which  I  had  slain  was 

The  demon  of  the  slave ; 
They  granted  it  more  power  than 

They  did  the  God  of  Light ; 
And  as  like  it,  they  too  were  black,. 

To  them  this  thought  it  gave : 
A  demon's  curse  upon  their  race 

Made  them  children  of  the  night. 

Therefore  was  my  recovery 

To  them  a  great  event ; 
And  when  among  them  I  would  come,. 

They  seem  to  think  it  right 


H2  For  Me  They  Would  Howe  Died. 


To  worship  me  as  one,  who  from 

Another  world  was  sent 
To  remove  this  curse,  and  destroy 

The  demon  of  the  night. 

The  frenzy  had  become  so  great, 

For  me  they  would  have  died — 
Soon  the  masters  feared  my  power 

And  they  proposed  to  me, 
If  I  would  leave  their  country, 

For  me,  they  would  provide 
Free  transportation  to  the  land 

Beyond  the  inland  sea. 

But  in  despair,  the  poor  slaves  were 

When  learning  I  would  go. 
'Twas  hard  to  tear  myself  away 

They  begged  and  pleaded  so ; 
But  normal  strength  I  did  regain, 

The  route  it  led  my  way, 
No  good  would  come  if  I  remain. 

I  resolved  to  start  next  day. 

The  ship  on  which  I  crossed  the  sea 

Had  neither  sails  nor  oar ; 
But  was  propelled  by  what  they  called 

Electro-magnet  power. 
Across  the  sea,  two  hundred  leagues, 

Through  waves  it  cut  and  tore, 
Swift  as  the  eagle  takes  its  flight, 

Fullv  sixtv  miles  an  hour. 


All  Men  Are  Free  and  Equal  Born.  113 


As  we  approached  the  other  land, 

First  my  attention  drew 
To  a  monument  of  marble, 

There  standing  on  the  shore, 
Inscribed  with  letters  clear  and  bold, 

That  plainly  came  to  view : 
All  men  are  free  and  equal  born, 

In  this  land,  forevermore! 

When  landing  on  the  shore,  I  saw 

A  great  and  varied  throng : 
The  merchant  and  the  laborer, 

As  they  passed  along  ; 
The  citizen  and  the  traveler 

Whose  time  was  unemployed, 
The  stout  and  lazy  /foreman 

Who  did  all  work  avoid. 

With  form  so  full  of  health  and  strength 

In  comfort  sitting  there — 
About  him  were  the  laborers, 

With  limbs  both  tired  and  weak 
Wrestling  hard  with  heavy  burdens 

More  than  their  strength  could  bear, 
Submitting  to  his  curses 

Whenever  he  would  speak. 

How's  this  ?    I  asked  of  one  near  by, 

Are  not  these  men  all  free? 
Yes,  free  to  work  just  when  they  please, 

My  neighbor  said  to  me. 


114  To  Keep  the  Hungry  Wolf  Away. 


Of  one  who  toiled  I  then  inquired, 

My  Friend  what  do  you  say  ? 
No  choice  said  he,  but  slave,  to  keep 

The  hungry  wolf  away. 

We  have  no  choice,  but  must  accept 

Such  work  as  we  can  find ; 
But  for  the  mouths  to  feed  at  home, 

If  fate  was  only  kind 
And  would  not  give  unto  the  few 

Control  of  all  the  bread, 
For  such  as  he,  we  would  not  toil, 

In  plantive  tones,  he  said. 

My  neighbor  then  said  of  these  men : 

They  need  not  work  and  slave. 
If  they  will  all  their  time  employ, 

And  their  wages  save — 
That  is  not  tire,  came  from  the  crowd, 

For  we  can  do  no  more 
Than  keep  the  gaunt  and  hungry  wolf 

From  entering  the  door! 

I  asked  my  neighbor  what  they  pay 

These  men  ;for  work,  per  day. 
The  sum  he  gave,  for  one  full  meal, 

A  man  of  wealth  would  pay. 
That  man  of  oaths,  who  drives  these  slaves, 

How  much  does  he  demand  ? 
Said  he,  to  push  these  men  at  work 

More  pay  can  he  command. 


Do  They  Not  Well  Their  Duties  Do?  115 


If  these  men  would  stay  at  work 

And  their  wages  save,  you  say, 
Each  a  competence  could  earn 

And  save  for  the  rainy  day; 
Now  your  family,  I  would  ask, 

Would  they  not  the  offer  spurn, 
To  live  upon  all  the  pay 

One  laborer  could  earn  ? 

Yet  you  demand  of  these  poor  men 

That  they  their  wages  save, 
And  have  them  live  on  scarce  enough 

To  keep  them  from  the  grave ; 
Their  children  robbed,  of  all  life's  joys, 

Its  pleasures  and  its  fun ; 
Why  should  your  children  have  it  all 

And  these  poor  souls  have  none? 

The  sons  of  sires  who  fought  and  bled 

In  their  country's  cause, 
Do  they  not  well  their  duties  do. 

Obey  their  country's  laws? 
The  commonwealth,  defended  by 

Those  sires  so  tried  and  true. 
This  birthright  of  those  patriot's  sons, 

You  parcel  to  the  few  ! 

All  men  are  free  and  equal  born, 
Those  noble  sires  proclaimed; 

They  are  with  certain  right  endowed, 
First  of  which  thev  named 


u6  The  Right  to  Live  and  Happiness  Pursue. 


Is  liberty,  the  right  to  live 

And  happiness  pursue — 
This  latter  right  your  laws  soon  changed 

And  gave  it  to  the  ;few. 

You're  right  said  one  who  stood  near  by, 

The  rich,  the  masses  own, 
A  snarling  pack  of  wolves,  he  said, 

Contending  for  the  bone ; 
The  dogs  on  top,  do  all  they  can 

To  overcome  the  others : 
Not  so,  the  land  from  whence  I  came, 

There  all  mankind  are  brothers. 

What  right  had  they  who  held  control, 

The  unborn  child  to  rob  ? 
For  pottage  mess,  sell  to  the  few 

And  dub  the  rest  a  mob? 
Each  child  that's  born,  has  thus  heen  robbed 

Of  what  to  it  belonged : 
The  income  of  the  commonwealth, 

Of  its  share  has  been  wronged. 

All  men  are  truly  equal  in 

The  land  I  call  my  home ; 
In  common,  all  things  there  are  owned 

And  paupers  are  unknown, 
The  commonwealth  is  not  for  sale. 

As  equal  partners  all, 
Both  the  labor  and  its  income, 

Alike  on  each  doth  fall. 


Where  Each  and  All  Are  Brothers. 


He  told  me  much  about  this  land, 

And  if  I'd  with  him  go, 
He'd  show  how  all  worked  hand  in  hand, 

That  all  he  said  was  so; 
And  as  it  led  me  towards  the  goal 

Wherein  my  hopes  did  lay, 
I  promised  I  would  with  him  go 

And  start  the  coming  day. 

I  found  this  friend  so  full  of  life. 

So  confident  of  joy, 
And  as  a  fear  of  coming  want 

Did  not  his  mind  annoy, 
I  said  to  him,  you  must  have  wealth? 

He  said,  no  more  than  others, 
A  nation's  subjects  all  are  rich 

Where  each  and  all  are  brothers. 

As  we  did  journey  through  the  land, 

This  thought  in  me  grew  strong : 
The  words  upon  the  monument 

Were  both  absurd  and  wrong; 
For  here  the  abject  slave  must  toil 

Where  burning  sun  doth  shine, 
While  at  their  ease  in  cooling  shade 

The  rich  may  pass  their  time. 

When  riding  by  palacial  homes, 

I  saw  the  favored  few 
Enjoying  all  earth's  luxuries 

With  nothing  else  to  do; 


Only  the  Crumbs  Allow. 


Enjoying  wealth,  that  sons  of  toil, 

Produced  by  sweat  of  brow ; 
But  to  the  ones  producing  all 

Only  the  crumbs  allow. 

Our  route  now  led  among  the  hills, 

Winding  through  grove  and  glade — 
Oft  times  a  sound  like  sighing  breeze 

On  listening  senses  played ; 
Then  when  we  reached  the  higher  ground 

More  marked  became  the  tone, 
There  came  more  plainly  to  our  ears 

A  sound  like  deep  sea's  moan. 

Descending  now,  down  in  the  vale 

Where  ran  the  rippling  stream, 
The  sound  died  gently  on  the  breeze 

Like  the  passing  of  a  dream. 
What  sound  is  that,  I  asked  my  friend, 

That  falls  upon  the  ear? 
The  mighty  stream  that  bounds  my  hoire 

Said  he,  is  drawing  near. 

Again,  when  rising  up  the  hill 

The  sound  more  loudly  grew ; 
And  when  we  reached  the  highest  point 

The  river  came  to  view. 
Oh !  such  a  grand  majestic  stream 

My  sight  ne'er  viewed,  before! 
Rolling  there  between  the  Iv.lls 

A  league  from  shore  to  shore. 


There  Like  the  Smoke  of  Firing  Gun.  119 


Where  first  we  reached  the  river's  bank 

The  stream  ran  calm  and  slow ; 
But  as  we  traveled  down  the  shore 

More  swiftly  did  it  flow. 
An  object  floating  near  the  land, 

At  first  with  us  kept  pace; 
With  speed  increasing,  more  and  more, 

Soon  passed  us  in  the  race. 

As  onward  swept  the  rushing  tide 

With  raging  torrent  force, 
More  closely  drew  the  parted  shores 

To  check  its  onward  course. 
Out  in  mid  stream,  a  towering  rock 

Seemed  there,  like  fortress  strong, 
To  hold  the  rushing  waters,  back 

To  where  they  did  belong. 

The  torrent  charged  this  fortress,  firm, 

And  climbed  far  up  its  side, 
There,  like  the  smoke  of  firing  guns 

The  spray  spread  high  and  wide; 
The  charge  was  vain — It  could  not  break 

Or  shake  those  massive  walls — • 
With  froth  and  foam  at  this  defeat, 

Down  o'er  the  ledge  it  falls. 

Down  o'er  the  ledge  a  thousand  feet 

It  plunged,  with  angry  roar, 
Then  calmly  ran  between  its  banks 

A  quiet  stream,  once  more. 


I2O  There  Hangs  the  Bow  of  Peace. 


As  quietly  its  course  renews, 
All  turbulence  must  cease, 

For  on  the  mist  in  varied  hues 
There  hangs  the  bow  of  peace. 


Was  It  All  Hallucination.  121 


AD  INTERIM. 


THE     RIVER. 


Oh  that  grand,  majestic  river 

Floating  there  between  the  land ; 
Onward  rushing,  swiftly,  swifter 

As  those  falls  draw  near  at  hand : 
Rolling,  tumbling,  growling,  grumbling, 

Freting,  foaming  as  in  pain ; 
Whirling,  dancing,  oh  so  entrancing 

Is  the  picture,  oh,  so  plain  ! 

Seething,  boiling  foam  and  bubble, 

Misty  fogging  like  the  rain — 
Oh,  I  comprehend  the  trouble, 

Only  dreaming  once  again — 
Tell  me  John,  and  tell  me  truly, 

Was  this  really  all  a  dream  ? 
All  those  people  and  the  landscape, 

With  that  grand  and  noble  stream  ? 

Floating  there  I  saw  about  me, 
Pictures  of  the  varied  scenes, 

Was  it  all  hallucination, 
Saw  I  only  in  my  dreams  ? 


122  This  Is  What  You  Told  to  Me. 


'Twas  so  life-like,  every  atom 
Came  to  view  as  plain  as  day — 

Tell  me  all  about  my  talking, 
Every  word  that  I  did  say. 

What  to  you,  Roy,  was  but  dreaming, 

Was  to  Fonso  real  and  true. 
When  he  saw  the  masses  toiling, 

Bound  in  slavery  to  the  few. 
When  he  saw  the  few  enjoying 

What  the  toiling  masses  earned, 
Then  the  sence  of  such  injustice 

In  his  noble  nature  burned. 

When  he  learned  there  was  a  country 

Where,  alike,  all  men  were  free, 
With  companion  he  then  started, 

This  is  what  you  told  to  me. 
Traveling  onward  to  the  river, 

Saw  those  waters  all  a  whirl— 
You  can  tell  me  more  about  it. 

When  you  grasp  in  hand  this  beryl. 

Grasping  this  gem  of  greenish  color. 

Soon  in  slumbers  deep  Roy  sank, 
And  in  dreams  again  was  riding 

Down  along  the  river's  bank  : 
Then  as  down  the  stream  he  traveled, 

Wider  did  the  shores  recede. 
Across  the  river,  saw  the  country 

Where  all  alike  were  free,  indeed. 


This  Land  There  Is  Nouglit  to  Pay.  123 


CHAPTER  X. 


Rolling  Fields  of  Golden  Grain — In  This  Land  There  Is  Nought  to 
Pay — A  Son  of  the  Commonwealth — Ties  of  Home  and  Hearth — Was 
It  but  Luck — The  Home  of  the  Free  and  the  Home  of  the  Slave — Op- 
posite Sides  of  the  Stream — Two  Rules  of  Life — Upon  the  River — The 
Rich  and  Poor  in  Strife — Lecture  Halls,  Churches,  Operas  and  Schools 
—The  Home  of  My  Friend — A  Kindly  Greeting — The  Hermit's  Cave — 
She  is  Captive  With  the  Noti — Once  More  That  Voice — The  Great 
Hypnotic  Scholar — The  Mystery  Deepens — He  did  not  wait  for  My 
Reply — A  Message  From  Sionilli — -The  Noti— Battle  of  Armagedon — The 
Banquet  Hall — A  Noble  Feast — Ad  Interum. 


We  now  had  passed  the  hilly  country ; 

And  when  we  reached  a  lower  plain, 
There  came  in  view  a  fertile  valley 

Rolling-  with  fields  of  golden  grain. 
Upon  the  river's  bank  reposing, 

A  little  village  was  in  sight ; 
And  as  the  day  was  near  its  closing, 

We  thought  to  stop  there  over  night. 

Our  journey  overland  now  ending, 

The  following  morn  we  crossed  the  stream  ; 
'Twas  at  this  place  my  friend  intending 

He  would  deliver  up  the  team. 
When  I  proposed  to  share  the  hiring, 

All  laughing,  said  that's  not  our  way ; 
You'll  find,  dear  brother,  on  inquiring, 

Tn  this  land  there's  nought  to  pay. 


124  A  Brother  in  TLat  Family  Asked  Yon. 


All  property  is  owned  in  common, 

The  only  tax  there  is  to  pay, 
Is  working  at  some  avocation 

For  government,  five  hours  per  day ; 
And  once  each  year,  for  recreation, 

We  want  a  trip  for  sport  or  health, 
All  the  expense  of  such  vacation 

Is  settled  by  the  commonwealth. 

When  in  that  stranger  land  I  met  you 

And  you  came  here  at  my  request, 
A  brother  in  the  family  asked  you, 

And  you  are  now  that  family's  guest. 
Now  here,  dear  friend,  we  bid  you  welcome; 

I  asked  you  there,  to  come  and  see 
That  all  mankind  are  truly  equal, 

In  the  land  where  all  are  free. 

Although  I  am  in  the  land  of  birth, 

Welcomed  as  a  brother  and  son, 
The  kindred  ties  of  my  home  and  hearth 

Still  beckon  me  to  travel  on. 
To-morrow,  my  friend,  for  home  I  start. 

Come  there  with  me  and  take  a  rest, 
Yes,  visit  my  home,  before  we  part. 

Abide  with  me  and  be  my  guest. 

Now,  as  his  dwelling  was  on  my  way. 

I  thanked  him  for  his  kind  request 
Grateful,  indeed,  for  this  chance  to  stay. 

For  I  was  much  in  need  of  rest. 


125 


Now  was  it  my  luck  or  was  it  fate, 

That  circumstances  always  led 
Me  on  the  way  I  go,  so  straight, 

Providing  me  with  food  and  bed? 

On  this  side  ojf  the  stream  is  the  home  of  the  free ; 

But  slavery  exists  on  the  other  shore. 
As  we  travel  down  the  stream,  my  friend  said  to  me, 
Conditions  compare,  and  plainly  you'll  see 

The  truth  of  the  words  I  uttered  before. 
Upon  this  shore  the  freeman's  hand  you  grasp  wcth  pride, 
Cringing  serfs  you'll  find  on  the  other  side  ; 
Of  these  two  rules  of  life,  which  is  the  better  plan : 
The  iron  rule  of  wealth,  or  brotherhood  of  man  ? 

The  boat  now  at  the  wharf  they  said  would  start  at  eight, 
Travel  down  the  stream,  making  points  below ; 
We  went  aboard  at  once,  and  while  we  there  did  wait, 
We  watched  the  laborers  loading  on  the  freight 

As  by  that  inland  sea  we  watched  before. 
The  freight  the  crew  here  moves  is  exactly  the  same, 
That  was  moved  from  that  boat,  (from  whence  it  really  came) 
In  two  hours  all  was  moved  to  the  boat  from  shore, 
While  it  took  them  there,  jfull  another  hour  more. 

Now  this  difference  will  be  fully  understood, 
If  the  economic  problems  we  compare : 
Here,  in  this  commonwealth  the  stronger,  as  they  should, 
Share  burdens  with  the  ones  whose  health  is  not  so  good, 
Each  one  toiling  as  his  strength  will  bear. 


126  Gk'inx  to  l:.ach  a  Share  That  Is  Just  and  Right. 


Xow  knowing  each  will  draw  his  share  of  commonwealth, 

In  laboring  .for  all,  he  labors  for  himself. 

To  no  one  he  is  bound ;  his  duty  is  to  all, 

And  prides  to  work  or  fight  at  his  country's  call. 

Xor  as  to  health  or  strength  do  we  divide  the  pay. 
If  the  strong  do  more  work,  the  weaker  gives  his  mite, 
\Yith  strain  upon  his  life,  as  much  in  every  way — 
The  pay  that  each  receives  is  just  the  same  per  day 

Giving  to  each  a  share  thats  just  and  right.  • 

But  on  the  other  shore  the  master  holds  the  sway. 
And  there  the  toiling  slave  a  master  must  obey  ; 
He  holds  in  hand  the  reins  and  drives  them  with  this  lash : 
My  will  you  must  obey  or  you  cannot  have  my  cash. 

With  freight  aboard,  the  boat  now  started  down  the  stream ; 
A  landing  first  was  made  upon  the  other  shore  ; 
Here,  what  my  friend  had  said,  I  saw  was  not  a  dream : 
The  poor  had  only  milk,  the  rich  drank  all  the  cream 

And  they  who  did  produce,  all  the  burdens  bore. 
A  man  of  wealth  was  always  treated  as  a  lord. 
For  him,  was  everything  the  best  they  had  on  board ; 
And  I  noticed  that  the  poor  were  all  considered  trash, 
For  no  commonwealth  did  back  them  with  its  cash. 

While  traveling  down  the  stream,  a  glance  from  shore  to  shore 
In  contrast,  plainly  sho\ved  the  different  modes  of  life : 
The  right  had  well  kept  parks,  where  dwellings  all  were  good ; 
But  mansions,  over  grand,  mid  hovels,  where  they  stood, 
Showed  on  the  other  shore,  the  rich  and  poor  in  strife. 


Lecture  Halls  and  Churches,  Operas  and  Schools.  127 


There,  on  crowded  streets  they  together  dwell,  enmass ; 
But  when  they  chance  to  meet,  are  strangers,  as  they  pass. 
Not  so  upon  the  right,  in  villages  they  dwell. 
They  meet  on  common  plain,  and  wish  each  other  well. 

They  dwell  there  in  content,  supplied  with  all  they  need : 
Lecture  halls  and  churches,  operas  and  schools. 
And,  educated  well,  the  children  are  indeed, 
In  all  affairs  of  life,  not  only  taught  to  read, 

But  think ;  and  be  more  than  educated  fools. 
Each  day  for  public  good,  five  hours  are  all  employed 
When  they  are  strong  and  well.    If  strength  is  not  enjoyed, 
Learned  doctors  are  at  hand,  to  watch  and  guard  the  health- 
Educated  and  employed  by  the  commonwealth. 

To  the  home  of  my  friend  we  at  last  did  arrive ; 
And  happy  was  the  meeting  of  the  family  there  — 
The  wanderers  return,  the  greatest  joy  of  life. 
When  welcomed  by  his  children,  and  a  loving  wife, 

Sitt'ng  with  them  in  the  once  vacant  chair — 
When  I  was  introduced  to  loved  ones  of  my  friend. 
The  most  kindly  welcome,  to  me  they  did  extend  ; 
They  hoped  that  I  would  tarry  till  I  regained  my  health. 
And  then  become  a  son  of  their  commonwealth. 

The  kindly  greeting  o'er,  all  gathered  'round  the  fire, 

A  happy  circle  there  in  the  soft  mellow  light  - 
They  told  me  of  a  rule  which  I  did  much  admire: 
To  protect  the  family  tie,  do  their  laws  require 
Persons  unemployed,  to  be  home  at  night. 


128  Be  not  Stranger  to  Your  Home. 


Be  not  stranger  to  your  home,  this  their  proverbs  say- 
One  third  of  the  time,  to  visit  friends  each  day ; 
But  when  the  night  comes  on,  from  loved  ones  cease  to  roam, 
Be  a  link  to  bind  the  family  tie,  at  home. 

Here,  every  night  it  rains,  but  the  day  is  always  fair — 
When  I  awoke  next  morn,  it  was  bright  and  clear — 
Taking  a  morning  stroll,  I  noticed  every  where 
The  houses  were  all  built  abutting  on  a  square  ; 

Fronting  on  the  street,  with  the  square  in  the  rear. 
In  the  center  of  each  square,  a  large  building  stood, 
Where  all  the  food  was  cooked,  for  the  whole  neighborhood, 
And  delivered  steaming  hot  at  each  family  plate, 
From  the  very  best  cooks,  instructed  by  the  state. 

I  saw  much  to  interest,  and  some  that  did  amuse, 
As  I  passed  along  the  way  from  time  to  time. 

I  saw  that  some  were  doing  work,  not  anyone  would  choose ; 

But  these  were  criminals,  the  commonwealth  did  use 
To  do  the  hard  and  dirty  work  as  a  fine. 

For  the  loyal  citizen,  duties  all  are  light ; 

The  commonwealth  will  favor  them  in  doing  right : 

But  criminals,  and  those  that  will  their  duties  shirk. 

They  are  compelled  to  do  the  hard  and  dirty  work. 


Home  Is  the  Family  Pleasure  Spot.  129 

HOME. 


Home  is  the  family  pleasure  spot, 

Here  no  work  is  done, 
Only  to  make  the  1:eds  and  sweep 

To  dust  and  keep  it  clean. 
Washing  is  done  at  launderies, 

And  all  the  ironing,  too ; 
And  once  a  week  the  house  is  cleaned 

By  a  scrubbing  crew 
The  wife  is  not  a  family  drudge, 

But  is  the  household  qreen. 

As  cloth  is  woven  at  the  mills, 

And  there  the  yarn  is  spun. 
And  as  no  corn  is  ground  at  home 

Because  the  mill  stones  run 
The  government  controlls  all  toil 

For  happiness  and  health. 
The  home  is  guarded  from  its  cares 

By  the  commonwealth. 

Recreation  in  every  town 

The  state  provides  for  all : 
The  opera,  to  charm  the  ears,. 

With  harmony  and  song, 
The  theatre,  to  study  life 

Where  curtains  rise  and  fall, 
And  for  the  more  enquiring  minds, 

The  lyceum  and  lecture  hall ; 
Also  the  church  for  all  to  learn 

The  laws  of  rght  and  wrong — 


130  //  Pleased  Me  to  the  End. 


One  afternoon  my  friend  and  I 

A  lecture  did  attend. 
The  subject  was  hypnotic  power; 

It  pleased  me,  to  the  end. 
My  friend,  who  saw  the  pleasure  that 

This  subject  to  me  gave, 
Did  tell  me  of  an  hypnotist 

Whose  home  was  in  a  cave. 


In  a  dark  cave  among-  the  hills 

Where  massive  rocks  were  piled, 
A  hermit  lives,  whose  study  is 

This  strange  hypnotic  jforce. 
How  old  he  is,  if  I  would  guess, 

You  would  think  me  wild ; 
But  there  he  lived  an  aged  man 

When  father  was  a  child 
Wandering  along  the  winding  stream 

That  ran  there  in  its  course. 


Where  is  this  cave,  I  asked  my  friend, 

Near  here,  or  far  away  ? 
Quite  early  you  must  start  .  said  he, 

To  make  it  in  one  day ; 
But  there  are  brothers  everywhere 

To  keep  you  over  night. 
I  did  at  once  conclude  to  start 

As  soon  as  it  was  light. 


As  Fondest  Memory  Backward  Turns.  131 


Traveling  down  the  little  stream 

That  wound  among  the  hills, 
The  scenery  recalls  to  mind 

The  outer  world  again. 
As  fondest  memory  backward  turns 

I  see  those  rippling  rills 
And  Sionilli  (that  dear  name, 

How  my  heart  it  thrills !) 
At  my  side  wandering  with  me  there, 

Among  the  hills  of  Spain. 


Oh  my  Nilli,  Sionilli ! 

Was  that  promise  vain  ? 
When  you  heard  the  spirit  saying 

We  will  meet  again  ! 
Fear  not  Fonso,  Nilli's  near  you ! 

(Again  it  comes  to  me  !) 
She  is  captive  with  the  Noti, 

And  you  will  set  her  free. 


Yes,  our  Nilli  is  in  danger; 

A  message  she  did  send ; 
And  dear  Fonso  you  can  help  her 

If  you'll  be  strong  and  brave. 
Seek  this  great  hypnotic  scholar 

And  he  will  be  your  friend. 
With  his  strange  hypnotic  power 

'He  will  assistance  lend. 
He  is  looking  for  you  Fonso 

And  waiting  at  the  cave. 


Like  a  Cloud  of  Fire  Leading 

I  <> 


How  knows  he  that  I  am  coming? 

This  stranger  to  my  life ; 
And  how  knows  he  I  am  seeking, 

Nilli,  as  mate  and  wife? 
Once  you  said  to  Sionilli : 

"A  soul  in  life  doth  wait." 
'Tis  your  soul  said  Isabella, 

Now  going  to  its  mate. 


The  mystery  deepens,  what  power 

Does  thus  prepare  the  way 
Like  a  cloud  of  fire  leading. 

Without  effort  from  me  ? 
Is  it  Isabella's  spirit 

While  hovering  so  near. 
That  impresses  me?  or  is  it 

This  sage  that  draws  me  here? 
What  though  it  be,  fate  leads  me  on, 

Tis  ruling  destiny. 


I  hastened  on  by  towering  bluffs. 

Overgrown  with  moss  and  fern  ; 
The  stream  flowed  backward  in  its  course, 

Around  a  point  did  turn 
And  brought  to  view,  'mid  towering  rocks, 

As  grand  as  they  could  be, 
An  aged  man  at  mouth  of  cave 

Beckoning  unto  me. 


/  Saw  a  Look  of  Scorn.  133 


Tlrs  grey,  old  man  with  eyes  of  fire 

Yet  mild  as  early  morn, 
Standing  upon  a  ledge  of  rock 

At  entrance  to  a  cave. 
Looking  at  me.    As  I  approached 

I  saw  a  look  of  scorn 
Upon  his  face  when  he  did  see 

My  aged  and  feeble  form. 

This  frail  old  man !   Oh  can  it  be 

He  can  our  nation  save ! 
Art  thou  Alfonso  ?  he  then  asked, 

Come  from  the  world  above  ? 
A  message  I  now  hold  for  you 

Brought  by  a  pure  white  dove — 
He  did  not  wait  for  my  reply, 

But  grasped  me  by  the  hand 
And  led  me  through  an  opening 

Far  back  into  the  land. 


A  strange  influence  drew  me  on 

Much  like  a  serpent's  charm, 
Controlling  all  my  mental  force, 

Resist  it  as  I  might. 
Into  that  cavern,  dark,  I  went 

Without  a  thought  of  harm — 
My  sense  of  fear  seemed  paralyzed, 

I  could  not  feel  alarm, 
But  followed  on  with  confidence 

That  everything  was  right. 


134  The  Danger  ft  Is  Grave. 


Back  through  the  cavern,  dark  as  night, 

To  where  the  hills  divide, 
Here,  in  a  gorge  between  the  hills 

The  old  man  did  reside. 
In  a  cabin  which  he  had  built. 

One  of  the  crudest  kind, 
He  lived  a  hermit  life  to  learn, 

The  powers  of  will  and  mind. 


A  message  on  lightest  paper 

Enclosed  within  a  quill, 
Upon  a  pure  white  dove  was  found 

Tied  underneath  its  wings — 
This  precious  message  I  received, 

And  how  my  heart  did  thrill, 
When  I  saw  that  Nilli's  writing 

All  of  the  page  did  fill. 
This  message  was  in  the  letter 

The  dove  to  me  did  bring. 


I  am  held  a  captive,  Fonso, 

In  the  great  Xoti's  hand. 
And  I  send  out  my  precious  dove 

To  seek  thee  through  the  land  ; 
Your  Nilli  is  now  in  trouble ! 

The  danger,  it  is  grave ! 
You  must  hasten  to  me,  Fonso, 

If  vou  would  Xilli  save. 


Think  You  She  Is  Captive  Still  135 


When  did  the  message  come?    I  asked, 

Think  you  she  is  captive,  still  ? 
Explaining  its  contents  to  him 

So  he  would  understand — 
It  was  two  days  ago,  said  he, 

The  dove  came  o'er  the  hill 
In  one  day  a  messenger  dove 

Could  such  a  distance  fill, 
Three  days  ago  this  messenger 

Was  in  the  lady's  hand. 


Then  she  may  need  me  now !  I  cried, 

Oh,  with  no  more  delay, 
Pray  lead  me  through  that  passage,  and 

Direct  me  on  my  way. 
Had  I  thy  wings,  oh  dove,  that  I 

Might  fly  to  Nilli's  side ! 
Oh  swiftest  time  in  hurried  flight, 

Let  me  with  thee  ride. 


Impulsive  man  you  little  know 

Conditions  we  must  fill, 
If  you  would  think  to  start  alone 

The  captive  to  defend  ! 
To  combat  the  Noti's  power 

Takes  more  than  strength  and  skill, 
And  to  succeed,  we  must  some  way 

Destroy  his  mighty  will, 
For  it  is  a  demon  power 

With  which  we  must  contend. 


To  Fight  the  Annagedon  War. 


With  his  great  hypnotic  powers 

Other  minds  are  his  prey ; 
As  he  contrails  their  power  of  thought 

His  will  they  must  obey. 
All,  in  the  circle  of  his  charm. 

To  other  thoughts  are  blind 
And  if  within  this  sphere  you  go 

He  would  destroy  your  mind. 

This  demon's  awful  power,  is 

A  menace  to  us  all ; 
To  overcome  it  I  have  thought 

And  studied  night  and  day ; 
As  many  subjects  I  contrail 

Who  will  obey  my  call 
I  now  feel  I  have  the  power 

To  antidote  his  thrall. 
And  have  decided  to  contest 

His  powers  right  away. 

For  many  years,  that  I  might  guard 

My  people  from  his  power, 
I  meditated  many  nights 

Until  the  morning  hour ; 
And  I  have  gained  the  power  at  last 

The  Noti  soon  will  find, 
To  fight  the  Armagedon  war. 

This  battle  of  the  mind. 

But  now  the  day  is  near  its  close, 
Abide  with  me  to-night. 


You  Are  Indeed  Our  Fate.  137 


For  you  will  gain  no  time,  at  all, 

By  starting  right  away, 
And  while  you  stop  with  me  to  rest 

I  will  prepare  to  fight. 
My  subjects  will  begin  to  march 

At  dawn  of  morning  light, 
But  as  their  marching  will  be  slow 

Our  start  we  can  delay. 


I  am  quite  sure  the  time  is  ripe, 

Traditions  have  foretold 
That  ifrom  the  outer  world  would  come, 

A  being  grey  and  old 
With  younger  mate,  a  captive  held 

In  the  Noti's  power. 
That  the  great  Noti  he  would  slay 

At  nation's  darkest  hour. 


You  are  the  being  old  and  grey 

Seeking  a  younger  mate, 
And  she  now  is  a  captive,  held 

In  the  great  Noti's  hand. 
Now  if  this  prophecy  be  true, 

You  are  indeed,  our  fate! 
But  can  one  feeble  man  destroy 

A  power  so  strong  and  great  ? 
To  me  this  seems  so  very  strange 

I  cannot  understand. 


138  This  Seems  Absurd,  Indeed. 


This  strange  mysterious  force  I  found, 

When  rightly  understood, 
If  properly  controlled  it  might 

Be  used  in  doing  good. 
The  Nod's  source  of  power,  I  found 

Was  not  the  same  as  mine ; 
For  he  did  seek  the  demon  will 

While  I  sought  the  Divine. 

Our  supper  I  will  now  provide, 

Then  you  can  sit  and  read 
While  I  impress  my  subjects  minds 

With  how  and  when  to  move — 
Can  you  supply  the  food,  I  asked, 

Two  hungry  men  to  feed  ? 
From  that  small  store  provide  a  meal? 

This  seems  absurd,  indeed  ! 
That  all  your  wants  I  can  supply 

Said  he  I  soon  will  prove. 

Upon  the  table  he  now  placed 

Pure  water  from  a  spring 
And  from  the  embers  on  the  hearth 

Some  roasted  yams  did  bring. 
He  motioned  me  to  join  with  him 

At  this  simple  fare 
Of  roasted  yams  and  water,  pure, 

All  the  food  he  did  prepare. 

When  we  sat  down  he  bowed  his  head 
As  if  in  silent  prayer, 


The  Scene  Changed  Everywhere.  139 


And  in  quiet  meditation 

A  moment  did  remain  ; 
Then  making  passes  with  his  hand 

The  scene  changed  everywhere, 
The  cave  and  cabin  disappeared, 

A  banquet  hall  was  there, 
The  dining  hall  in  Nilli's  home 

I  now  was  in  again. 

On  spread  of  damask,  white,  was  plate 

Of  gold  and  silver  ware ; 
And  purest  wine  ,from  juice  of  grape 

In  crystal,  sparkled  there : 
'Twas  not  a  feast  of  flesh  and  fowl, 

'Nor  fish  from  stream  or  lake, 
But  simple  food  from  mother  earth, 

This  perfect  feast  did  make. 

A  better  meal  I  never  ate 

Nor  drank  of  purer  wine, 
Although  we  always  had  the  best 

At  Sionilli's  home. 
I  gorged  until  the  scene,  it  changed : 

From  banquet  hall  so  fine 
To  the  cave,  where  once  more  I  sat 

Upon  the  stool  of  pine, 
Staring  at  skins  of  roasted  yams 

From  which  my  meal  did  come. 

Almost  in  terror  there  I  sat, 
Until  he  did  explain 


14°  My  Mind  Was  Forced  to  See. 


That  by  hypnotic  force,  his  will 
Held,  and  controlled  my  brain, 

So  just  as  he  would  feel  and  think 
My  mind  was  forced  to  see, 

Leading  it  up  to  thoughts  of  home, 
That  lay  dormant  in  me. 

But  time  now  flies,  we  start  at  dawn ; 

This  they  must  know  he  said. 
And  I  must  leave  you  for  a  time, 

My  thoughts  they  will  require — 
The  manuscript  within  this  roll 

I'm  sure  you  never  read — 
Something  for  you  to  pass  the  hours 

'Til  time  to  think  of  bed. 

Rhythmic  verse  I  do  often  read, 

And  this  I  much  admire; 
If  this  writing  you  will  peruse 

No  doubt  you'll  find  a  light, 
To  help  you  comprehend  the  force 

You  saw  and  felt  to-night — 
When  I  did  open  up  the  roll, 

On  title  page  did  see 


HYPNODIUS. 


THE  POWERS  OF  DEITY 


The  Grandest  Meal  I  Ever  Did  Eat.  141 


AD  INTERIM. 


LIFE    IS   BUT    A    DREAM. 


Oh  that  banquet  was  perfect,  said  Roy, 
As  again  he  awoke  from  the  trance ; 
That  sparkling  wine,  I  could  drink  a  cask 
If  only  they  would  give  me  the  chance. 
That  bright  crystal  and  glittering  plate, 
Also  that  grand  old  banquet  hall, 
Where  have  they  all  gone ;  oh,  I  now  see : 
Dreaming  again,  that's  all. 


But  the  supper,  it  surely  was  real, 
I  know  I'm  awake  and  taste  it  yet — 
The  grandest  meal  I  ever  did  eat 
I  had  last  night  and  don't  you  forget ! 
At  Nilli's  home,  I  surely  was  there ; 
Am  I  asleep,  for  how  could  that  be  ? 
Wake  me  up  John !    Oh  now  I  know, 
It  was  Fonso  not  me. 


Yes  Roy  you  had  a  perfect  feast, 
For  you  had  roasted  yam, 

Which  you  enjoyed  to  say  the  least, 
If  it  was  all  a  sham. 


142  A    Rosy    Aineth\st. 


Not  many  joys  we  strive  to  reach 
Turn  out  just  what  they  seem, 

For  aged  experience  will  teach 
That  life  is  but  a  dream. 

Yes  life  is  brt  a  passing-  dream 

In  which  we  all  exist 
Said  Roy,  grasping  another  ball, 

A  rosy  amethyst, 
In  dreaming  trance  he  closed  his  eyes, 

Of  self  he  lost  control 
And  then  to  John  he  did  recite 

The  contents  of  the  roll. 


//  Is  the  Battle  Ground  of  Fate.  143 


CHAPTER   XI. 

Hypnodeus — A    Casket    Cast    Up    By    the    Sea — A    Downy    Bed — An 
Army  Marching — lam — Ad  Interim. 


HYPNODEUS. 


THE  HYPNOTIC   POWERS   OF  DIETY. 

The  rule  of  life  in  ages  past, 

Was  under  the  control 

Of  the  Divine,  the  Perfect  mind 

Who  then  did  rule  the  soul. 

The  human  state  was  better  then 

Than  at  the  present  day, 

And  a  great  deal  better,  than  it  was 

Six  thousand  years  away. 

Life  consists  of  the  Divine, 

A  pure  all-perfect  state ; 

Or  is  controlled  by  demon  power 

And  ruled  by  demon  hate. 

The  human  is  the  medium  state, 

Controlled  for  good  or  ill 

By  the  Divine  and  Perfect  Mind, 

Or  by  the  demon  will. 

It  is  the  battle  ground  of  fate 

On  which  the  war  began, . 

For  the  hypnotic  power 

To  control  the  mind  of  man. 


144  The  Right  Thing,  Just  at  the  Proper  Time. 


In  the  Genises  of  time 

Before  man's  sin  began. 

Divine  then  held  hypnotic  powers 

Over  the  wills  of  man  ; 

The  power  which  is  referred  to 

Let  it  be  understood, 

The  same  is  used  by  man  today 

For  evil  or  for  good ; 

As  do  the  subjects  hypnotized. 

The  hypnotist's  will  obey, 

So  did  the  will  of  the  Divine 

Lead  minds  of  men  that  day. 


When  the  Divine  control  did  act 

Upon  the  human  will. 

Then  did  the  human  mind  respond, 

Divine  thought  to  fulfill ; 

And  most  perfect  were  the  results, 

Omnipotent,  sublime ; 

For  the  human  did  the  right  thing 

Just  at  the  proper  time. 

All  then  was  perfect  happiness, 

The  Eden  time  of  life  ; 

They  acted  each  in  harmony 

And  all  was  free  from  strife. 


Man  did  worship  then,  the  true  God, 
The  guardian  of  his  soul, 
Who  held  Divine  hypnotic  power, 
The  Kindgom  and  control. 


But  There  Was  War  in  Heaven.  145 


It  was  a  power  All  Perfect 

That  could  will  no  wrong, 

For  no  elements  of  evil 

Could,  to  Divine  belong. 

The  demon  power  then  did  hold 

All  elements  of  ill ; 

The  human  mind  did  not  yet  feel 

The  bane  of  demon  will. 


But  there  was  war  in  heaven 

Over  the  human  soul, 

The  Divine  and  Demon  powers 

Contending  for  control ; 

The  human  state  was  now  invaded 

By  the  demon  power, 

And  the  human  mind  knew  no  peace 

From  that  day  and  hour. 

The  human  was  dissatisfied 

For  there  was  something  wrong ; 

Its  state  of  peace  and  harmony, 

Was  now  most  surely  gone. 


The  demon  power  had  gained  control 

Over  the  human  mind. 

Divine  w:sdom  taking  from  it. 

To  truth  making  it  blind 

Then  of  tree  of  knowledge  saying: 

Its  frrit  is  good  to  eat, 

If  man  would  rse  his  own  will  power 

He  soon  world  know  the  cheat. 


146  By  Sweat  of  Face  and  Broiv. 


Of  how  the  God  well  knew  the  day 
Man  of  this  fruit  would  take. 
A  knowledge  of  good  and  evil 
Upon  his  mind  would  break. 


The  tree  of  knowledge  and  its  fruit, 

From  which  came  every  ill, 

Was  throwing  off  Divine  control 

And  using  man's  own  will ; 

Feeling  that  he.  alone  could  act 

And  when  a  thing  was  done, 

It  was  by  his  own  mind  conceived 

And  by  his  will  power  won ; 

And  as  this  thought  within  him  grew, 

The  powers  of  Divine 

Grew  less  to  guide  the  will  of  man 

And  lead  the  human  mind. 


This  fruit  of  knowledge  man  did  eat 

And  from  that  day  'til  now, 

Stern  necessity  must  he  meet 

By  sweat  of  face  and  brow ; 

Divine  will  cannot  enter  in 

To  perfect  the  human  mind, 

In  what  he  thinks  and  what  he  does 

He's  like  one  who  is  blind. 

Pie  from  that  day  was  left  alone 

To  fight  with  toil  and  care. 

His  work  is  not  laid  out  for  him, 

Alone,  he  must  the  fruit  prepare. 


Thorns  and  Thistles  Must  He  Fight.  147 


Of  this  fruit  he  has  been  storing 

From  that  day  until  now, 

Yet  necessity's  demanding 

Will  no  rest  allow. 

And  succeeding  generations 

Have  added  to  his  store, 

Still  necessity  requires 

Of  him,  more  and  more. 

If  this  vast  store  be  multiplied 

By  seconds  of  the  time 

In  ages  of  eternity, 

One  thought  of  the  Divine 

Would  be  to  man  of  more  avail, 

To  keep  him  :from  dispair, 

To  bring  content  and  happiness 

And  free  him  from  all  care. 


All  knowledge  man  has  gained 

Or  ever  will  attain, 

Many  ills  of  imperfection 

Will  in  it  still  remain. 

Thorns  and  thistles  must  he  fight 

Hopeless  of  full  reward, 

Until  hypnotic  powers,  Divine, 

Can  fully  be  restored. 

The  tree  of  knowledge  will  then  die 

And  no  fruit  will  remain. 

By  perfect  wisdom,  the  Divine 

Will  lead  man's  mind  again  ; 


148  In  Harmony  Sublime. 


And  then  humanity  will  be 
In  harmony  sublime, 
For  the  right  thing  mankind  will  do 
Just  at  the  proper  time. 


THE  DELUGE. 


The  deluge  of  hypno-demon  power  overswept  the  land,  chang- 
ing all  nature  from  a  state  of  peace  and  harmony,  to  war  and  dis- 
cord. Where  all  was  gentleness,  v'cicus  and  hatred  became  tin- 
rrle.  Kindness  changed  to  selfishness,  and  each  sought  its  own 
good  at  the  expense  of  others.  The  stronger  preyed  upon  the  weak. 

The  demon  power  had  impressed  natvre  so  that  the  greater  part 
of  animated  life  became  reptile,  or  was  so  imbued  with  the  serpent 
instinct,  that  the  fruits  and  seeds  of  the  tree  was  no  longer  satis- 
factory food  for  man.  neither  did  herbs  saciate  the  appetites  of 
the  beast,  save  the  noble  horse,  the  gentle  cow  and  innocent  sheep, 
and  a  small  remnant  of  other  animals  that  were  saved  from  the 
flood  of  hypno-demon  creative  power.  Evidence  of  this  may  be 
found  by  studying  the  geological  chart  of  tir.e,  where  the  reptilian 
age  will  appear. 

The  deluge  of  hypno-demon  power  overswept  the  land, 
Changing  Divine  creation  by  its  awful  wand. 

Man  became  a  demon  worshiping  savage,  with  the  serpents  ap- 
petite for  flesh  and  the  reptile  for  his  God — 


The  Earth  Puts  Forth  Its  Verdure.  149 


The  power  to  lead  the  human  mind 

Was  not  only  taken 

But  the  very  power  of  heaven 

Was  also  shaken. 

And  all  created  nature  ceased 

In  harmony  to  be 

Throughout  all  space  about  the  earth, 

On  the  land  and  in  the  sea. 

Also  the  cup  of  human  woe 

It  was  now  over-full. 

Happiness  was  the  exception 

And  misery  the  rule. 

All  the  things  which  are  created, 

Each  specia  6,i  its  kind 

Exists,  by  the  hypnotic  powers 

Of  Divine  or  demon  mind. 

As  each  begins  within  its  germ 

To  take  its  part  in  life, 

The  perfect  and  the  imperfect 

Are  always  in  the  strife. 

By  the  Divine  or  demon  will 

All  nature  is  impressed. 

And  all  nature  is  contending 

While  nothing  is  at  rest. 


The  earth  puts  forth  verdure 

As  do  the  flowers  bloom; 

The  streams  course  through  the  valleys 

And  mountains  grandly  loom, 


15°  Cast  Up  by  Waves  From  the  Sea. 


The  trees  bring  forth  their  blossoms 

And  then  mature  their  fruit; 

Each  one  would  do  just  right  its  part 

From  leaflet  to  its  root, 

Divine  perfection  would  exist, 

And  Eden  would  be  here, 

If  the  Divine  had  full  control 

With  nought  to  interfere. 


At  times  the  earth  fails  to  produce 

And  want  is  in  the  land ; 

The  streams  go  dry,  but  thirst  remains, 

The  barren  mountains  stand 

Monuments  of  uncertainty, 

Of  jfailure  and  of  wrong ; 

Great  imperfection  that  cannot 

Unto  Divine  belong. 

War  pestilence  and  .famine, 

Sorrow,  misery  and  pain, 

Evidence  of  demon  power, 

Results-  of  demon  bane. 


Now,  from  whence  did  come  this  manuscript? 

And  who  could  the  author  be? 
As  the  writer  quotes  from  Genesis 

The  hible  he  must  have  read — 
While  talkng  thus  the  old  man  came  in 

And  in  answer  said  to  me : 
This  writing  was  in  a  casket,  found, 

Cast  up  by  waves  from  the  sea. 


Resisting  the  Will  of  God.  151 


I  read  this  writing  and  read  again, 

Then  the  power  came  he  said ; 
But  if,  as  you  say,  this  manuscript 

Came  from  the  bible  you  name, 
Then  why  did  your  people  fail  to  read 

And  study  about  the  same. 
So  little  of  the  powers  of  mind 

Do  they  seem  to  understand, 
Why  did  they  remain  in  the  dark, 

With  the  light  right  in  their  hand. 


The  sense  of  one  word  mislead  their  thoughts 

Its  meaning  not  understood, 
Caused  them  to  think,  God's  will  meant  wish, 

And  not  his  power  or  force. 
Using  their  wills  to  obey  his  wish, 

Would  be  doing  as  they  should, 
But  by  doing  so  there  own  will  force 

Would  shut  off  the  source  of  good. 
"Thy  will  be  done."    He  said  this  must  mean 

Thy  powers  control — of  course — 


Upon  the  hypnotic  sphere,  the  mind 

Is  much  like  a  weather  vane, 
Changing  its  course  at  each  passing  thought, 

Upon  its  hypnotic  plane; 
And  one  little  word  the  old  man  said 

Did  thus  change  their  path  of  thought, 
Leading  up  to  their  own  will  power, 

Resisting  the  will  of  God. 


152  At  My  Childhood's  Home  I  Was  Again. 


Changing  the  subject,  it  now  grows  late 

And  is  time  to  think  of  bed. 
I  will  show  you  where  you  can  sleep 

If  you  will  now  follow  me. 
I  cannot  supply  a  bed  of  down. 

Nor  soft  pillows  for  your  head, 
But  I  can  insure  a  night  of  rest 

Also  pleasant  dreams,  he  said. 
Although  this  bench  is  all  I  have 

The  power  to  offer  thee. 

But  if  you  will  recall  to  your  mind 

The  feast  which  you  had  to-day, 
And  if  you  remember  the  words 

That  I  then  to  you  did  say : 
The  force  I  control  may  be  applied 

In  every  way  to  do  good, 
To  make  of  this  bench  the  softest  bed 

And  of  yams  the  richest  food. 

To  sleep  with  but  a  bench  for  a  bed 

I  thought  :t  would  be  in  vain  ; 
But  lying  there  with  the  old  man's  hand 

Patting  gently  on  my  head. 
At  my  childhood's  home  I  was  again 

Lying  in  my  trundle  bed, 
Sweetly  sleeping  on  the  softest  down 

'Neath  a  snow-white  counterpane. 
My  mother  was  sitting  at  my  side 

And  crooning  the  lullaby 
That  so  often  would  she  sing  to  me : 

By,  by  baby  don't  you  cry. 


'Tis  the  Sick,  She  Said,  Who  Lie  in  Bed.  153 


While  listening  to  these  gentle  tones 

As  she  softly  sang  to  me, 
Soon  were  my  waking  senses  locked 

In  sweet  sleep  of  infancy. 
The  scene  now  changed :    I  was  in  the  room 

Where  dear  Nilli's  mother  died ; 
The  same  to  me  it  all  did  seem, 

Excepting  she  was  not  there. 
She  bade  me  goodbye,  'twas  from  that  bed, 

To  see  her,  oh  how  I  tried ! 
She  is  not  here  I'm  all  alone ! 

My  dreaming  senses  cried — 
'Tis  the  sick,  she  said,  who  lie  in  bed, 

Seek  your  cousin  in  a  chair. 

Sitting  there  in  her  favorite  chair 

Isabella  said  to  me : 
Alfonso  dear,  your  cousin  is  here 

And  her  form  you  once  more  see. 
Again  I  will  your  words  repeat : 

"Somewhere  in  life  a  soul  doth  wait." 
Nilli  and  you  again  will  meet 

Fate  decrees  you  two  to  mate. 


154  Like  a  Giant's  Footstep  Falling. 

AD  INTERIM. 

I   A   M  . 

lam,  lam  hear  us  calling, 
We  all  march  at  thy  command ; 
Like  a  giant's  footsteps  falling 
As  we  all  tramp  on  the  land — 
Tell  me  John  what  are  they  doing? 
I  would  like  to  understand ; 
Tell  me,  is  a  battle  brewing, 
Fighting  in  that  wonderland? 

Tramping,  many  feet,  are  drumming 

Like  an  army  drawing  near, 

I  plainly  hear  them  cry  while  coming : 

lam,  lam  we  are  here ! 

Yes,  said  Roy,  I  know  I'm  dreaming, 

But  it  sounds  so  very  plain — 

Perhaps  you  can  explain  its  meaning 

Ere  I  drop  to  sleep  again. 

That  a  cloud  oif  war  is  brewing, 
On  the  horizon,  'tis  true ; 
But  you  left  Alfonso  sleeping, 
How  did  tramping  come  to  you  ? 
He  was  dreaming  of  his  cousin, 
Of  his  home  and  trundle-bed ; 
If  they  marched  while  he  was  dozing, 
It  passed  unnoticed  through  his  head. 

If  this  is  true,  those  footsteps  falling, 
Was  an  army,  on  the  way, 
Of  many  men  at  lam's  calling 
Who  will  march  at  dawn  of  day. 


//  /  Would  Do,  You  Must  Cease  Trying.  155 


While  Fonso,  thought  of  other  matter 
He  did  pass  this  in  his  dreams, 
Quite  probable,  the  coming  chapter 
Will  tell  us  what  this  tramping  means. 

To  Roy,  John  all  the  words  repeated 
About  the  brotherhood  of  man, 
How  every  one,  alike  was  treated 
By  this  co-operative  plan. 
He  told  him  how  all  were  provided 
In  plenty,  with  no  thought  of  care, 
How  wealth  and  labor  was  divided 
So  each  received  an  equal  share. 

When  he  .from  Hypnodeus,  reading 

To  Roy,  the  contents  of  the  roll, 

Roy  then  exclaimed,  'tis  strange,  exceeding, 

We  did  not  know  God  lost  control ! 

Yet  through  all  ages  he  was  crying: 

Eat  not  the  fruit !  My  will  be  done ! 

If  I  would  do,  you  must  cease  trying ! 

I  am  the  God !  The  only  one  ! 

What  is  that  you  say !  said  John  to  Roy, 
Free  moral  agency  destroy? 
Yes,  said  Roy,  the  agency  resign 
Unto  a  will  more  wise  than  mine  — 
At  present  I  have  no  more  to  say 

For  I  am  anxious  to  see  the  fight ; 
And  once  more  in  sleep  he  sank  away 

Grasping  a  ball,  an  agate,  white. 


156  The  Early  Bird  Will  Find  the  Grain. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

In  My  Trundle  Bed — With  Axe  and  Spear  They  March  This  Way — 
He  Led  the  Way  Out  Through  the  Cave — lam's  Subjects — Subjects  of 
the  Noti— The  All  in  All— 'Tis  Wonderful— The  Halt— Alfonso's  Gun— 
The  Hawk — A  Messenger  Dove — A  Message  to  Sionilli — The  Unknown 
Force — A  Camp  in  the  Glen — Introduction — The  Puma  Lion — Alfonso 
Kills  the  Lion — The  Noti's  Stronghold — Fonso's  Vision — The  War  of 
Wills — Roar  of  Fonso's  Gun — Alfonso  Slays  the  Noti — Victory — Ad  In- 
terim. 


WILL 


She  said  no  more,  the  old  man  spoke 
As  from  my  slumbers  I  awoke. 
With  kindly  look  and  pleasant  smile, 
You  have  been  dreaming  quite  a  while ; 

How  did  you  like  your  couch  ?  he  said. 
I  slept  not  on  that  bench  last  night. 
For  time  went  backward  in  its  flight 

And  put  me  in  my  trundle-bed ! 

Said  he,  the  light  has  come  once  more 
And  day  is  knocking  at  the  door; 
For  drones  that  sleep  it  knocks  in  vain 
The  early  bird  will  find  the  grain — 

The  sluggard  sleeps.    He  is  not  wise. 
\\\-  have  so  much  to  do  this  day. 
The  captive  cries,  do  not  delay ! 

Now  don't  you  think  'tis  time  to  rise  ? 


With  Axe  and  Lance  They  March  This  Wa\.  157 


Start  at  dawn,  the  command  I  gave, 
The  line  of  march  is  by  the  cave ; 
I  hear  their  tramp  as  they  march  along. 
And  now  they  sing  their  battle  song, 

Our  forces  clad  in  mail  of  steel. 
With  ax  and  lance  they  march  this  way, 
And  if  you  do  too  long  delay 

There'll  be  no  time  for  morning  meal. 

Breakfast,  the  same  as  night  before 
Water  with  yams  and  nothing  more ; 
But  while  I  sat  and  at  it  stared 
I  saw  a  perfect  meal  prepared 

As  he  the  passes  once  more  made. 
I  ate  the  food  and  drank  the  wine 
Until  he  said  it  now  is  time, 

And  led  the  way  through  the  cave. 

From  rocks  on  which  he  stood  before 
We  saw  a  thousand  men  or  more, 
With  rations  strapped  upon  their  backs, 
In  mail  of  steel,  with  spear  and  ax, 

Crying  lam,  we  are  here  ; 
Then  when  they  spied  the  old  man's  form, 
The  towering  bluffs  echoed  a  storm 

Of  huzzas  and  wildest  cheer. 

These  subjects  I  control,  and  they 
Must  every  thought  of  mine  obey. 
Each  step  an  impress  of  my  will, 
Each  mind,  it  must  that  thorght  fulfill — 


158  My  \aiiie  to   Them  Is  Jam. 


My  will,  said  he,  obeyed  by  them — 
I  am  to  them  and  they  are  not, 
My  will  is  theirs,  their  own  forgot, 

.My  name  to  them  is  lam. 

Now  the  power  the  Noti  holds 
Over  the  subjects  he  controls, 
He  wields  it  for  his  sake,  alone, 
He  takes  it  all  and  leaves  them  none — 

To  resist,  they  cannot  try — 
To  care  of  self  he  makes  them  blind, 
Keeping  one  thought  upon  their  mind, 

For  him  must  they  live  and  die. 

I  saw  from  year  to  year,  his  power 
Was  gaining,  and  I  did  greatly  fear 
That  it  would  bring  us  all  to  harm 
If  nought  would  check  that  awful  charm, 

And  destroy  his  power  of  mind. 
To  learn  this  power  and  people  save 
My  life  I  spent  in  this  dark  cave 

A  solution  here  to  find. 

I  meditated  deep  and  long 

But  found  no  thought  to  make  me  strong, 

Till  Hypnodeus  drifted  here 

And  made  the  pathway  straight  and  clear, 

Leading  straight  to  the  Divine. 
Was  it  but  chance  of  destiny 
That  brought  the  manuscript  to  me, 

Or  did  higher  will  design. 


/  Found  a  Presence  Everywhere.  159 


I  found  a  presence  everywhere, 
Not  atmosphere,  part  here  part  there ; 
In  each  atom  though  ere  so  small 
'Twas  all  in  it :  The  all  in  all — 

Hypnotic  presence  of  Divine, 
Upon  the  pathway  of  my  thought, 
With  all  my  own  will  powers  forgot, 

Hypnotized  this  will  of  mine. 

The  more  I  read,  the  more  I  thought, 
The  greater  power  to  me  it  brought ; 
For  when  my  own  will  would  submit 
And  ceased  to  act,  I  gained  from  it 

Another  will.  I;f  mine  would  stop, 
When  limbs  too  tired  to  mount  a  hill, 
Then  I  could  feel  another  will 

And  reach  with  ease  the  mountain's  top. 

This  I  did  feel  in  every  nerve, 

Also,  in  time,  I  did  observe 

If  desired  for  good,  alone, 

I  could  wills  control,  not  my  own ; 

Other  wills  would  mine  obey. 
These  subjects  minds,  from  hour  to  hour, 
Grew  more  submissive  to  my  power : 

The  result  you  see  today. 

Indeed — 'Tis  wonderful !  I  cried 
When  I  thus  saw  this  force  applied — 
It  is  the  same,  the  old  man  said 
That  changed  the  yams  on  which  you  fed. 


160  Other's  Thoughts,  Do  I  Fulfill. 


Giving  you  a  banquet  grand. 
Obeying  what  my  thoughts  suggest, 
These  men  must  march  and  cannot  rest 

Til  my  thoughts  change  the  command. 

As  now  its  time  for  them  to  rest 
I  will  now  give  another  test; 
When  with  his  hand  he  made  a  pass 
At  once  all  dropped  upon  the  grass 

As  by  one  impluse  of  will. 
Tis  wonderfrl !  again  I  said, 
That  thousands  by  one  will  are  lead — 

Others  thought  do  I  fulfill? 

By  other  minds  oft  times  we're  led. 
The  thought  is  then  not  ours  he  said. 
Xot  all  impress:ons  we  receive 
Do  our  own  wills  or  minds  conceive. 

Then  another's  will  is  done. 
To  me  the  truth  of  this  was  plain, 
For  when  his  thought  said  start  again 
At  once  the  marching  was  begun. 

'Tis  lam  marching,  and  not  they. 
His  will  says  step,  their  feet  obey ; 
Tis  lam  marching  o'er  the  hill 
To  overcome  the  Noti's  wi!!. 

By  this  power  I  am  led. 
Great  lam's  will  that  does  it  all. 
And  by  IMS  will  we  stand  or  fall— 

His  will,  not  mine,  the  old  man  said. 


//  Not  in  This  I  Miss  My  Guess.  161 


One  thought  alone,  their  minds  now  fill, 
They  are  controlled  but  by  one  will ; 
But  when  they  reach  the  Noti's  zone 
When  lam's  will  is  not  alone 

All  these  minds  he  cannot  hold. 
The  Noti's  power  will  then  impress, 
And  lam's  power  will  grow  less 

To  lead  the  wills  now  controlled. 

Now  trusting  to  the  power  oi  right, 
These  men  let's  follow  to  the  |fight. 
'Tis  said,  by  you,  with  force  unknown, 
The  Noti  will  be  overthrown ; 

And  I  feel  it  will  be  done. 
That  unknown  power,  I  confess, 
If  not  in  this  I  miss  my  guess 

Said  I,  handing  him  my  gun. 

'Tis  all  a  mystery  to  me. 
In  this,  said  he,  there  cannot  be 
The  power  to  have  the  Noti  slain ; 
But  if  'tis  true,  time  will  explain 

Your  part  in  the  emergency, 
And  I  would  always  have  you  near, 
Because  the  Noti  might,  I  fear, 
•  Take  this  power  to  act  from  thee. 

A  message  by  the  dove  I'd  send, 
Telling  the  lady  that  her  friends, 
To  rescue  her,  are  drawing  near, 
And  Alfonso  is  with  them  here; 
But  that  hawk  is  in  the  wav — 


1 62  It  Flew  From  Sight  O'er  the  Hill. 


If  I  would  now  release  the  dove 
That  hawk  soaring  so  high  above 
Would  soon  make  the  dove  its  prey. 

You  need  not  fear  the  hawk,  said  I. 
Prepare  the  messenger  to  fly ; 
For  with  this  gun,  the  hawk,  I'll  kill. 
Destroy  the  man  with  demon  will 

And  show  wherein  my  power  is  found. 
I  pointed  where  the  bird  did  soar, 
And  lam  heard  a  mighty  roar 

As  the  hawk  fell  to  the  ground. 

At  once  a  message  I  did  write 
Saying  to  Nilli  that  she  might 
Expect  us  there  ere  many  hours— 
To  overthrow  the  Xoti's  powers. 

This  we  rolled  up  in  a  quill. 
Twas  Xilli's  dove  that  he  did  bring. 
We  tied  the  message  'neath  its  wing, 

It  flew  from  sight  o'er  the  hill. 

When  lam  saw  what  I  had  done, 
He  timidly  took  hold  the  gun ; 
'Tis  wonderful,  he  did  exclaim. 
From  work  of  man  such  power  came 

To  be  thus  applied  for  use. 
Your  force,  said  I,  from  the  unknown, 
It  is  a  power  not  your  own  ; 

This  our  science  did  produce. 


//  We  Keep  Ajar  the  Gate.  163 


But  this  he  earnestly  denied. 
Your  science,  said  he,  is  thought  apnlied. 
There  is  one  thing  which  you  forgot, 
Science  is  but  results  of  thought — 

All  one's  thoughts  are  not  his  own. 
Those  men,  they  think  just  as  they  step. 
And  perfect  rnison  is  kept, 

But  that  thought  is  mine  alone. 

The  force  which  you  have  thus  applied, 
It  cannot  be  by  you  denied, 
First  started  from  a  thought,  somewhere, 
Tell  me  who  did  the  thought  prepare, 

Then  you  can  say  your  force  is  known, 
Intelligence,  the  Spark,  Divine, 
Is  from  a  mind  more  wise  than  thine ; 

It  is  a  force  not  your  own. 

There  is  no  question  in  my  mind, 
But  there  are  powers  of  some  kind 
That  by  hypnotic  force  of  will 
Control  our  thoughts  for  good  or  ill. 

If  we  keep  ajar  the  gate 
And  on  the  perfect  power,  call 
For  the  good  of  self,  and  good  of  all, 

We'll  find  a  power  good  and  great. 

That  we  should  start,  I  think  it  best, 
'Tis  time  my  subjects  stop  to  rest. 
While  we  were  talking  here  so  long, 
They,  step  by  step,  kept  marching  on 
And  are  several  miles  away ; 


'77.?  He  I  Introduce  to   Yon. 


They  now  draw  near  the  Noti's  zone, 
Each  step  they're  further  from  my  own 
And  'tis  best  I  near  them  stay. 

In  time  we  reached  the  marching  men, 
Now  camping  in  a  wooded  glen ; 
For  lam  had  the  thought  impressed 
To  halt  for  night  and  take  a  rest, 

To  be  strong  the  coming  day. 
For  now,  said  he,  the  time's  at  hand 
When  all  their  strength  they  will  demand 

Fighting  in  the  coming  frey. 

Now,  introducing  me,  he  said, 
A  tradition  you  all  have  read 
Says  !    At  our  nation's  darkest  hour 
An  aged  man,  with  unknown  power 

The  Noti  overcame  and  slew. 
That  time  is  now,  for  he  has  come ; 
The  unknown  power  is  in  this  gun. 

'Tis  he  I  introduce  to  you. 

What !  He  the  Noti  slay !  they  said, 
That  frail  old  man  with  hoary  head  ? 
What  power  can  such  as  he  possess? 
This  makes  us  think  of  lam,  less — 

Soon  they  changed  their  thoughts  of  me- 
A  cry  was  heard  from  up  the  glen, 
Then  hurried  steps  of  running  men 

As  in  terror  they  did  flee. 


A  Puma  Lion!    They  Did  Exclaim.  165 

A  puma  lion  !  they  did  exclaim 
As  they  to  camp,  in  terror  came ; 
But  one  sought  refuge  in  a  tree — 
The  beast  climbing  as  well  as  he 

Was  ascending  to  its  prey. 
The  man  was  paralyzed  with  fear, 
That  he  was  lost  seemed  very  clear 

If  on  one,  the  brute  could  slay. 

The  poor  man  climbed  and  did  not  stop 
Until  he  reached  the  very  top. 
The  beast  was  climbing  now  quite  near, 
Too  high  from  ground,  for  axe  or  spear, 

All  now  felt  his  clays  were  done. 
The  men  all  stood  amazed  with  fright ; 
But  Fonso  at  the  brute  did  sight 

As  he  fired  off  his  gun. 

When  they  recovered  from  their  scare 
And  saw  the  dead  beast  lying  there, 
Then  in  the  crowd,  some  one  did  say 
'Tis  he  who  will  the  Noti  slay ! 

And  to  this  d:d  all  agree. 
While  we  around  the  brute  dM  stand. 
Some  one  did  kneel  and  kiss  my  hand  ; 

'Twas  the  man  from  up  the  tree. 

In  camp  that  night,  what  I  had  done 
Was  the  theme  of  every  tongue, 
'Til  wearied  by  there  long  day's  walk 
They  sank  to' sleep  and  ceased  to  talk, 
Save  the  watchmen  of  the  night. 


Changing  Water  Into  Wine. 


lam,  always  so  wide  awake, 
Could  not  a  moment's  sleep  now  take, 
Thinking  of  the  coming  fight. 

And  when  the  light  of  coming  day 
Gave  to  the  sky  its  tint  of  grey, 
lam  thought  it  now  time  to  rise, 
At  once  each  man  unclosed  his  eyes, 

By  one  impulse  formed  in  line. 
O;f  the  coarse  rations  they  had  there, 
He  did  the  richest  food  prepare, 

Changing  water  into  wine. 

I  watched  those  men  at  their  repast, 
For  o'er  my  mind  he  did  not  cast 
The  charm  that  held  those  other  wills 
And  in  each  mind  the  thought  instills 

Faith,  that  does  not  doubt  the  least. 
Said  he  to  me :    If  the  Divine 
Could  thus  control  that  will  of  thine, 

Life  to  thee  would  be  a  feast. 

Once  more  the  marching,  it  began, 
All  stepped  away  as  if  one  man. 
In  silence  now  we  all  did  walk, 
For  lam  had  no  time  to  talk — 

Thus  we  marched  from  hour  to  hour- 
To  hold  control  that  would  not  break, 
All  lam's  thoughts  must  concentrate 

To  counteract  the  Xoti's  power. 


The  Noti's  Stronghold  Could  Be  Seen.  167 

When  we  had  marched  half  of  the  day 

I  noticed  some  would  break  away. 

As  if  by  other  mind  impressed 

They  would  break  rank  to  stop  and  rest — 

lam,  they  would  no  more  obey. 
Some  would  about  and  march  to  rear 
And  some  would  flee  as  if  in  fear 

And  would  throw  their  arms  away. 

lam's  control  did  so  decline 
'Twas  hard  to  keep  the  men  in  line, 
For  we  had  reached  the  Noti's  zone 
And  lam's  will,  was  not  alone 

The  force  which  the-ir  wills  impressed. 
This  was  lam's  most  trying  hour, 
For  men  would  feel  another's  power 

When  wearied  for  want  of  rest. 

When  two  great  hills  we  passed  between 
The  Noti's  strong-hold  could  te  seen, 
And  lam  thought  it  would  be  best 
His  tired  men  should  stop  and  rest 

Ere  he  called  on  them  to  fight. 
Then  backward  did  we  countermarch 
Into  a  grove  of  mountain  larch, 

To  remain  there  over  night. 

The  watch  was  set;  though  after  night 
But  few  will  move  by  nature's  light. 
Night  is  as  dark  as  dark  can  be, 
Without  a  torch  no  one  can  see — 
Night  surprise  they  little  fear. 


1 68  To  Storm  That  Fortress  Would  Be  Vain. 


But  to  be  safe  from  unknown  ills 
Scouts  took  possession  of  the  hills 
That  nought  to  harm  could  come  near. 

Then  lam  said,  to  me  'tis  plain, 
To  storm  that  fortress  would  be  vain  ; 
And  what  to  do  is  hard  to  tell ; 
But  we  all  felt  he'd  do  it  well. 

When  he  told  to  us  his  plans. 
Said  he,  our  better  way  will  be : 
While  'tis  so  dark  they  will  not  see, 
Separate  in  three  commands. 

One  to  the  left,  one  to  the  right. 
Behind  the  hills  just  out  of  sight; 
The  third  command — this  will  be  small — 
To  draw  their  forces  from  the  wall 

In  plain  sight,  will  ventrre  near. 
When  they  come  forth  this  force  to  meet 
And  follow  when  it  does  retreat, 

Our  main  force  will  close  in  rear. 

So  wearied  by  the  long  day's  march, 
I  made  a  bed  from  twigs  of  larch ; 
While  lying  there  upon  the  same 
A  vision  to  my  senses  came : 

Xilli's  mother  did  appear. 
Said  she,  the  time  has  come  to  do; 
The  fate  of  all  depends  on  you. 

Destiny  awaits  you  here. 


An  Opening  in  the  Wall  Then  Came.  169 

Look !     What  will  be,  I  show  to  you ! 
I  saw  a  city  come  to  view 
Surrounded  by  a  massive  wall ; 
And  towering  high  above  it  all 

Stood  a  castle  grand  and  strong. 
Within  the  court  were  fighting  men 
Upon  the  walls  they  were  again, 

And  on  the  streets  a  mighty  throng. 

Now  follow  where  I  lead  the  way 
That  you  may  go  the  coming  day ; 
Mark  well  said  she   all  that  you  see, 
For  on  the  morrow  this  will  be 

Your  place  in  line  of  destiny. 
She  led  the  way  up  to  the  right 
Close  to  the  wall,  but  out  of  s'ght ; 

Here  you'll  be  at  dawn  said  she. 

The  right  will  be  by  lam  led, 
Close  by  his  side  you'll  be  she  said ; 
And  when  the  rights  moves  in  the  rear 
The  Noti,  with  no  thought  of  fear 

Will  stand  in  view  on  the  wall. 
Now  destiny  is  calling  you, 
Steady  your  nerves,  aim  straight  and  trre, 

At  your  feet  the  fiend  will  fall. 

When  this  is  done  do  not  delay, 
But  through  this  door  now  haste  away. 
She  gently  tapped  and  spake  a  name 
And  op'ning  in  the  wall  there  came 
In  a  passage  to  the  right. 


170  'Tis  You  Who  Down  That  Pit  Will  Fall. 


This  way,  said  she,  so  dark  and  gloom, 
Ends  at  a  pit  near  Nilli's  room 
Guarded  by  slave,  black  as  night. 

Down  this  dark  passage,  to  the  right 
Within  a  room  there  was  a  light ; 
And  through  an  opening  I  did  see 
A  room  now  occupied  by  three 

Thus  I  heard  one  talking  there : 
That  pit  no  bottom  has,  they  say, 
You  yield  to  me  in  one  more  day 

Or  down  it  you  go — beware ! 

I  fear  you  not,  a  voice  replied ; 
From  me  the  future  doth  not  hide 
The  fact  that  you  are  near  the  hour 
When  you'll  be  shorn  of  all  your  power 

Your  body  cast  o'er  the  wall. 
And  you  black  imp  who  holds  control 
Of  this  poor  man,  body  and  soul, 

Tis  you  who  down  the  pit  will  fall. 

Great  lam  now  is  on  the  way 

And  will  be  here  before  'tis  day — 

When  it  was  said  lam  is  near 

The  black  imp  shrank  and  quaked  with  fear- 

From  whence  his  power  did  he  know. 
Deeply  impressed  I  now  awoke 
And  thought  it  real  'til  lam  spoke 

Saying  it  is  time  to  go. 


The  Watchmen  Had  no  Thought  of  Harm.  171 

As  in  the  vision  it  was  said 
The  right  was  by  lam  led 
Close  to  the  wall  but  out  of  sight, 
And  as  it  was  yet  dark  as  night 

The  watchmen  had  no  thought  of  harm ; 
When  morning  changed  from  grey  to  blue 
The  remnant  front  marched  into  view 

Then  the  watchmen  gave  alarm. 

The  little  band  now  in  full  view 
Beneath  the  wall  a  challenge  blew : 
What !  do  you  :f ear  a  force  so  small  ? 
Come  from  those  walls,  we'll  fight  you  all ! 

Where  now  is  thy  boasted  might? 
Though  small  our  force,  we  do  not  fear, 
Great  lam's  will  has  led  us  here, 

And  we  know  his  cause  is  right ! 

Now  when  the  Noti  saw  this  sight, 
To  put  those  boasting  men  to  flight, 
A  force,  in  numbers  strong  and  great, 
Was  hurried  through  the  castle  gate, 

A  horde  of  men  with  one  mind. 
The  little  band  fled  in  dismay 
Drawing  the  Noti's  force  away, 

lam's  men  closed  in  behind. 

The  Noti  seeing  the  mishap, 
All  of  his  men  caught  in  a  trap. 
He  could  not  now  his  force  recall 
For  lam's  men  controled  the  wall. 
It  seemed  he  had  lost  the  day. 


Indeed,  Our  Darkest  Hour  Had  Come. 


But  lam's  men  now  felt  his  charm 
And  lam  saw  with  great  alarm 

His  forces  throw  their  arms  away. 

Indeed  our  darkest  hour  has  come 
Said  lam,  Fonso,  try  your  gun  ! 
The  Not:  then  in  view  of  all 
Came  tumbling  forward  over  the  wall 

When  Alfonso's  gun  did  roar. 
The  moment  their  control  was  dead 
The  Noti's  men  in  terror  fled 

Threw  down  their  arms  to  fight  no  more. 


Shake  Hands  Alfonso,  Oh  'Tis  John!  173, 


AD  INTERIM. 


FREE   MORAL   AGENCY. 


Hurrah,  said  Roy,  for  Fonso's  grn ! 
When  it  goes  off,  they've  got  to  come ! 
How  quick  it  caused  the  Noti's  fall, 
I  stood  just  where  I  saw  it  all, 

Gee !  how  Alfonso's  gun  d.:d  boom  ! 
It  scared  those  fellows  in  a  fit 
And  made  them  run,  oh  see  them  git ! 

Said  he,  while  dancing  'round  the  room. 


Alfonso,  now  before  you  quit, 
Go  throw  that  devil  down  the  pit ; 
Nilli's  not  safe  'til  he  is  gone ! 
Shake  hands  Alfonso !  oh  'tis  John  ! 

Oh  John !  said  Roy,  only  my  dreams ! 
Fonso,  go  quick,  for  Nilli's  sake ! 
Rouse  up,  said  John,  your  not  awake ! 

I  can't,  said  Roy,  so  real  it  seems ! 


Of  lam,  John,  his  thoughts  are  mine, 
Surely  that  man  found  the  Divine, 
For  there  could  be  no  better  thought 
To  bring  the  human  near  its  God 

That  feel  that  God  controlled  his  mind. 


i74  The  Greatest  Trust  That  Could  be  Given. 


That  we  free  moral  agents  are, 
This  thought  from  evil  came  to  bar 
Divine  control  and  leave  us  blind. 

The  greatest  trust  that  could  be  given 
Would  be,  to  build  a  road  to  heaven ; 
But  could  it  be  Creators  plan 
To  leave  so  great  a  trust  to  man : 

A  full  free  moral  agency  ? 
To  mortal  man,  you  understand. 
Then  Pilot  like,  to  wash  his  hand 

Of  all  responsibility  ? 

There's  food  ior  thought  in  what  you  say, 
Which  we'll  discuss  another  day. 
This  narative,  I  want  it  all ; 
I  see  we  have  but  one  more  ball 

And  Nilli's  danger  is  so  great. 
When  you  have  heard  all  you  did  say 
You'll  say  like  me,  do  not  delay, 

But  hasten  on  to  learn  her  fate. 

Well,  raise  the  lid,  I  guess  your  right — 
Just  look,  said  John,  a  diamond,  bright ! 
Oh,  see  it  shine!  'Tis  just  the  thing! 
A  wedding  sure !    A  diamond  ring ! 

Said  Roy,  grasping  the  sparkling  ball — 
He  sat  not  as  he  did  before, 
But  kept  his  feet  and  walked  the  floor 

While  sound  asleep,  and  told  it  all. 


Just  in  the  Nick  of  Time  to  Save.  175 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

The  Bottomless  Pit — The  Demon  Slave — Rescue  of  Sionilli — A 
Divine  Presence — Fate  of  the  Demon — Tarn  Regains  His  Youth — Adam 
and  Eve — Father  Time — The  River  Styx — Alfonso  is  Young  Again — 
The  Land  of  Perpetual  Youth — To  Dwell  in  Youth  Forever  More. 


Remembering'  what  the  vision  said, 
Without  delay,  Alfonso  led 
The  way  up  to  the  little  door 
And  knocked,  it  opened  as  before, 

In  a  passage  dark  and  gloom. 
Just  as  he  saw  it  in  his  dream 
Far  down  the  way  a  little  gleam 

Of  light  shown  from  Nilli's  room. 

Just  in  the  nick  of  time  to  save 
His  Nilli  from  the  demon  slave. 
Had  they  delayed  a  little  bit 
He  would  have  cast  her  down  the  pit 

Fonso  saw  the  night  before. 
Oh,  save  me  Fonso !  Nilli  cried, 
He  with  one  bound  was  at  her  side 

And  felled  the  demon  to  the  floor. 

I  knew  you  would  not  come  too  late 
Fonso  dear !  Destiny  or  fate 
Ordained  you  would  be  here  to  save 
Your  Nilli  from  that  horrid  grave, 
And  at  last  we  meet  again. 


176  Fate  Has  Indeed  to  Us  Been  Kind. 


Yes  Sionilli,  precious  dove ! 
The  fates  destine  that  such  pure  love 
Need  never  strive  to  mate  in  vain. 

But  can  it  be  the  fates  destine 
This  grace  and  beauty  shall  be  mine? 
That  I  whose  form  with  age  defiled 
Shall  be  the  mate  of  thee,  sweet  child  ? 

Yes  Fonso  dear,  your  mate  for  l:fe. 
Her  form  I  drew  it  to  my  breast, 
With  love's  pure  kiss  her  lips  I  pressed 

And  cried,  my  child  !  my  mate !  my  wife ! 

Oh  Xilli  dear,  how  came  yon  here  ? 
That  I  had  lost  you  I  did  fear ! 
I  saw  you  from  your  father's  side, 
Plunge  in  the  dark  and  rolling  tide — 

It  was  in  dreams  I  thus  did  see. 
Fate  has  indeed,  to  us  been  kind, 
That  we  should  thus,  each  other  find — 

Dear  Nilli  tell  it  all  to  me. 

Dear  Fonso,  what  you  saw  was  true ; 
I  thought  I  wrould  thus  come  to  you. 
My  father  said  he  would  not  wait, 
That  I  must  wed  another  mate. 

To  you  alone  did  I  belong. 
I  told  him  it  could  never  be, 
And  sprang  from  him  into  the  sea, 

Without  a  thought  of  right  or  wrong. 


My  Memory  Fled,  I  Seemed  to  Sleep.  177 

While  sinking  down  into  the  deep 
My  memory  fled,  I  seemed  to  sleep. 
In  dreams  there  came  from  out  of  space, 
A  halo  bright,  an  angel  face, 

The  sweetest  voice  thus  spoke  to  me : 
It  is  your  mother's  voice  you  hear, 
Her  form  you  see,  she's  with  you,  dear ; 

And  Fonso  soon  will  come  to  thee. 

When  unconsciosuness  to  thought  gave  place, 
Something  soft,  fondled  my  face, 
With  cooing  tones  so  full  of  love, 
Did  me  awake.  It  was  the  dove 

That  followed  me  down  through  the  sea. 
Again  I  sank  into  a  swoon 
And  knew  no  more  ,  'till  in  this  room 

I  saw  that  black  imp  watching  me. 

The  Noti's  presence  caused  alarm, 
I  feared  that  he  would  do  me  harm. 
By  evil  was  my  mind  impressed 
And  w'cked  thorghts  destroyed  my  rest, 

Bad  thoughts,  that  were  not  mine  she  said. 
Here,  all  alone.    What  could  I  do? 
I  tried  to  send  the  dove  to  you 

It  came  not  back,  I  fear  'tis  dead. 

The  strain  was  awful  to  the  hour 
I  knew  I  must  resist  his  power. 
He  said,  if  I  did  not  submit 
The  slave  world  cast  me  in  the  pit, 
He  then  left  to  return  no  more. 


This  Mystery,  What  Can  It  Mean? 


You  came,  and  it  was  not  too  late 
To  save  me  from  the  awful  fate, 
And  now  our  troubles  all  are  o'er. 

Forgetting  we  were  not  alone 
Until  we  heard  a  doleful  groan, 
When  Nilli  said,  Oh  Fonso,  dear, 
Just  see  that  black  imp  quake  with  fear 

When  great  lam  looks  that  way ! 
And  lam's  face,  oh  see  it  shine ! 
An  halo  bright,  a  light  Divine 

Over  his  countenance  doth  play ! 

This  mystery,  what  can  it  mean, 
So  kindly  face  was  never  seen  ! 
So  kindly,  yet  stern,  forsooth, 
Stern  in  the  right !  a  look  o,f  truth ! 

No  wonder  that  the  slave  did  fear — 
In  tones,  so  deep  like  moaning  sea, 
To  Nilli  spoke,  and  then  to  me 

Fear  not,  the  God  of  man  is  here. 

Think  not  that  all  you  do  not  see 

Does  not  exist,  has  ceased  to  be ; 

When  thoughts  like  this  doth  with  thee  stay, 

Those  things  that  are,  it  drives  away : 

For  life  is  thought,  it  is  not  breath. 
To  you  an  axiom  I  now  give, 
What  once  had  life  will  always  live, 

The  laws  of  life  permits  no  death. 


Just  as  You  Think  so  Will  You  Be.  I7() 

Just  as  you  think  so  will  you  be, 
And  what  is  thought  will  come  to  thee. 
To  think  of  good  is  thinking  well, 
Then;  nought  but  good  can  in  thee  dwell 

And  evils  minds  cannot  obscess. 
Familiar  spirits  doth  abound ; 
To  lead  the  thoughts  they  hover  'round 

And  with  hypnotic  powers  impress. 

They  are  impressed  by  demon  will 
To  in  the  human  mind  instill 
Desires,  alone  for  fame  and  wealth, 
That  none  but  he  who  helps  himself 

Can  hope  for  help  from  the  Divine. 
When  minds  feel  they,  themselves  have  helped, 
The  need  of  God  will  not  be  felt 

Thus  his  power  they  undermine. 

From  childhood  lam  sought  the  right; 
His  neighbor's  good  was  his  delight. 
For  many  years  he  could  not  rest 
For  there  was  wrong,  he  felt  impressed 

In  paths  of  thought  that  others  trod. 
When  hypnodeus  came  to  hand 
He  read,  and  then  did  understand 

Powers,  hypnotic  of  his  God. 

He  realized ;  Thy  will  not  mine. 
Meant  gi've  all  powers  to  the  Divine ; 
Upon  this  thought  Divine  could  come — 
I  am  his  God !  my  will  is  done 

When  through  his  mind  I  talk  to  thee. 


180  Thou  Knoivest  What  Thy  Fate  Must  Be. 


Then  to  the  trembling  slave  did  turn 
And  said,  in  pitying  tones,  thought  stern, 
Thou  knowest  what  thy  ,fate  must  be  ! 

Down  in  that  pit  to  the  end  of  space, 
Go  with  thy  sins  and  man's  disgrace. 
With  thoughts  of  hate  alone  to  dwell. 
There  solitude  will  te  thy  hell ; 

But  not  forever  will  this  be. 
Chained  by  thy  evi'1  thoughts  of  hate, 
A  thousand  ages  must  thou  wait 

'Til  thoughts  of  love  can  come  to  thee. 

Down  in  that  pit  I  will  not  go 
The  demon  cried,  in  tones  of  woe. 
In  fury  he  at  lam  sprung 
And  by  his  aged  locks  he  hung ; 

An  awful  strrggle  there  tegan. 
Then  lam  said :  thus  shall  it  be, 
With  those  grey  locks,  take  thou  with  thee 

All  the  decrepit  ills  of  man. 

By  a  mysterious  force  imbued, 
The  demon  slave  was  soon  subdued — 
All  marks  of  age,  and  ills  of  it, 
Went  with  the  demon  down  the  pit — 

lam  stood  there  with  youth  regained. 
Standing  in  awe  at  what  transpired, 
We  heard  him  speak  as  one  inspired, 

As  he  to  us  our  lives  explained : 


From  Diety  a  Sion  Sprung.  181 

In  ages  past  when  time  was  young 

From  Diety,  a  sion  sprung, 

An  only  son,  the  human  race 

Came  to  this  sphere  from  out  of  space, 

Adam  the  first,  and  Eve  hi's  mate. 
All  that  was  perfect  they  possessed, 
Until  that  fiend  their  minds  impressed 

And  drew  them  from  their  high  estate. 

'Twas  you  who  dwelled  in  Eden's  bower 
Until  that  fiend's  hypnotic  power 
Had  gai'ned  control,  your  mind  obsessed, 
Controlled  your  will,  destroyed  your  rest, 

And  made  you  feel  all  powers  your  own. 
The  fruit  of  knowledge  you  then  ate, 
And  from  your  father's  high  estate 

Without  your  God,  you  walked  alone. 

Impressed  by  demon,  you  became 
As  it,  with  desires  the  same. 
In  place  of  food  you  once  did  eat 
Your  serpent  nature  called  for  meat — 

Material  man  to  being  came. 
Reptile  like,  with  its  shell 
Within  the  body  did  you  dwell 

Till  you  to  spirit  changed,  again. 

But  discontent  yet  ruled  the  soul, 
For  demon  power  held  control ; 
By  force,  hypnotic,  it  impressed 
Your  spirit  so  it  could  not  rest, 
Again  you  sought  material  form. 


182  With   Aspirations   Higher   Born. 


Reincarnated  in  the  flesh, 
Material  life  began  afresh 
With  aspirations  higher  born. 

Each  time  in  your  material  life 
Your  Eve  was  there,  to  be  your  wife. 
Reincarnated,  yet  with  guile, 
It  was  your  fate  to  wait  awhile, 

The  coming  of  your  purer  mate. 
She  came,  a  little  child,  to  thee — 
It  was  her  ,future  destiny 

Within  this  room  for  you  to  wait. 

In  Eden  when  the  woman,'  Eve 
Was  by  the  serpent  made  believe 
Forbidden  fruit  was  good  and  sweet, 
She  told  the  man,  and  both  did  eat, 

He  then  on  her  the  blame  did  fix ; 
But  fate  destined,  she  here  would  stay 
And  see  that  stigma  washed  away, 

Ere  passing  o'er  the  river  Styx. 

Imperfect  Adam,  age  defiled, 
And  Eve,  pure  as  the  new  born  child, 
Upon  its  banks  you  stand  once  more, 
With  Eden  on  the  other  shore. 

But  know  this,  ere  you  dare  the  Styx ; 
Perfection,  is  the  only  boat 
That  on  its  silent  tide  will  float ; 

Upon  your  mind  this  truth  now  fix. 


Another  Form  Was  Standing  There.  183 

Eve,  with  thee,  there's  nought  but  truth 
In  your  life  of  bouyant  youth ; 
But  Adam,  you  are  not  all  good, 
Your  consciousness  of  rectitude, 

While  lacking  faith,  cross  not  the  brink. 
Remember,  with  the  weight  of  years 
The  doubt  of  self  oft,  times  appears — 

Without  this  faith  you'll  surely  sink — 

What  lam  said  I  pondered  on, 
Then  turned  to  speak  but  he  was  gone. 
Another  form  was  standing  there, 
Who  spoke  and  said :     My  son  beware  ! 

'Hear  father  time  before  you  go: 
Six  thousand  years  I've  watched  that  tide 
And  none  have  reached  the  other  side; 

The  few  who  dared,  sleep  their,  below  ! 

They  in  whose  thoughts  no  guile  will  mix 
May  sajfely  dare  the  River  Styx. 
In  weighing  your  life  rectitude, 
If  less  of  evil  than  of  good, 

Your  sense  of  right  will  float  you  o'er. 
If  you  have  faith  you  did  your  best 
The  Perfect  Power  will  do  the  rest 

And  land  you  safe  on  other  shore. 

Dear  Fonso,  yon  was  always  good, 
You  did  the  right  as  understood. 
Oh  do  not  fear  to  dare  the  tide, 
Your  Nilli  will  be  at  your  side ! 
No,  no  Nilli,  I  fear  I'll  sink! 


184  To  Dwell  in  Youth  Forevennore. 


Shake  off  those  fears,  and  feel  thy  might! 
Dear  Fonso,  you  was  always  right ! 
Come,  let  me  lead  you  o'er  the  brink ! 

The  waters  bear  me  up,  you  seei 
And  they  will  do  the  same  to  thee — 
I  started,  then  in  doubt  I  cried, 
As  deep  I  sank  into  the  tide : 

Come  quickly,  Nilli,  or  I  sink ! 
Doubt  not  yourself,  feel  you  are  right! 
Full  jfaith  in  this  will  make  you  light ! 

Think  of  the  good  in  you  !    Oh  think ! 

The  ills  of  life.    They  will  not  go ! 
Nilli !     I  cried,  I'm  sinking  low  ! 
The  weight  of  age  was  pulling  down. 
And  in  despair  I  grasped  her  gown ; 

But  all  my  efforts  were  in  vain. 
While  'neath  the  waters  I  did  stay 
The  weight  of  age  was  washed  away 

And  I  arose,  a  youth  again. 

'Tis  Fonso!  come  again  to  me 
With  youth  renewed,  Oh  can  it  be ! 
'Tis  he !  for  love  doth  know  its  mate, 
Though  be  the  change  ever  so  great ! 

And  see  my  mother's  there,  before, 
A  pure  white  dove  she  holds  in  hand — 
We  followed  them  to  Eden  land 

To  dwell  in  youth,  forevcrmorc. 


Oh  I  Guess  I  Will  Not  Sink.  185 


EPILOGUE. 

Roy  Thinks  He  is  Drowning— Only  Dreaming — Roy  is  Anxious — 
Homeward  Bound — Song  of  the  Journey — Roy  Feels  Sad  and  a  Little 
Mad — "Tis  This  and  This — The  Happy  Day — Friends  Began  to  Gather 
—The  Wedding  Day. 


HOMEWARD  BOUND. 


Sniffling,  struggling,  as  if  strangling, 

Roy  cried  out  as  he  awoke. 
Oh  help  me  John,  for  I  am  drowning, 

This  is  true,  and  not  a  joke ! 
When  he  saw  that  John  was  laughing 

He  did  then  begin  to  think, 
And  said  he,  again  I'm  dreaming, 

Oh,  I  guess  I  will  not  sink. 


Only  dreaming !     'Twas  so  real ! 

But  my  dreams  have  always  lied ! 
Say,  did  Fonso  and  his  Ni'lli 

Safely  reach  the  other  side? 
Your  dreams,  said  John,  did  not  fool  you, 

All  they  told  you  was  the  truth ;      , 
They  landed  safe  on  other  shore, 

And  Alfonso  gained  his  youth. 


i86  It  Seems  as  if  a  Thousand  Years. 


I  wonder  if  I'm  dreaming  yet, 

My  poor  brain,  oh  how  it  whirls, 
Say  John,  let's  take  this  thing  right  home 

And  read  it  to  the  girls ! 
It  seems  as  if  a  thousand  years 

Have  passed  since  we  were  there, 
And  if  we  do  not  hurry  home 

We  too,  will  have  grey  hair. 

Now  I  am  awful  anxious,  John, 

The  reason  is,  because 
Our  girls  may  not  be  true  to  age 

As  Sionilli  was ; 
And  other  fellows  are  about 

While  we  do  ,f  rom  them  roam  ; 
Say  John,  let  us  pack  up  to-night 

And  start  right  off  for  home. 

Why  Roy !    You  would  not  doubt  those  girls ! 

I  am  ashamed  of  you  ! 
Dear  Carrie  and  sweet  Clara,  are 

The  truest  of  the  true ! 
Now,  that  we  have  the  story  told, 

There  is  no  cause  to  stay ; 
I'm  with  you  Roy,  we'll  pack  our  trunks, 

And  start  the  coming  day. 

The  following  morn  Roy  rose  at  dawn, 

His  thoughts  kept  him  awake ; 
And  even  John  did  not  sleep  long 

After  the  dav  did  break. 


To  Where  the  Palm  Tree  Grozvs.  187 


When  train  time  came,  the  whistle  blew, 

While  yet  the  bell  did  ring, 
Aboard  the  cars  Roy  almost  flew 

As  he  .this  song  did  sing: 

Rah-ta-tah-tah,  rah-ta-tah-tah, 

And  now  away  we  go 
Leaving  the  warm  and  sunny  south, 

For  a  climate  of  snow. 
Rattle-de-bang,  rattle-de-bang. 

We  are  now  rushing  on ; 
By  hills  and  brakes,  hummucks  and  lakes, 

Passing  them  one  by  one. 

'Neath  live-oak  shade  to  open  glade, 

With  orange  trees  in  rows; 
Through  perfume  of  magnolia  bloom 

To  where  the  palm  tree  grows. 
O'er  rippling  stream  whose  sparkling  gleam, 

Reflecting  rays  of  sun ; 
To  rivers,  wide  from  side  to  side, 

Along  whose  banks  we  run. 

Rattle  and  roar,  rattle  and  roar, 

As  the  bridges  we  cross  ; 
The  hamlets,  farms  and  villages, 

All  we  backward  toss. 
By  mountain  side,  through  valleys  ride, 

Then  through  tunnels  we  pass ; 
On,  on  we  glide,  o'er  prairies  wide, 

Green  with  carpets  of  grass. 


i88  But  John,  Where  Are  the  Girls? 


Far  o'er  the  hills,  factories  and  mills. 

Their  smoke  now  clouds  the  sky ; 
A  busy  throng  tramping  along, 

Watches  the  train  go  by. 
And  now,  once  more  the  factory's  roar, 

Oh,  what  a  noise  they  make ; 
The  whistle  blows,  the  train  it  slows — 

Home  again,  by  the  lake. 

At  home  again,  Roy  looked  in  vain, 

Faces  of  friends  to  meet ; 
Oh,  there  they  are,  all  in  that  car 

Coming  along  the  street. 
There  is  brother  Phil,  your  brother  Will, 

And  sisters  golden  curls ; 
Your  sister  Sue,  and  mother  too, 

But  John,  where  are  the  girls? 

Said  John  to  Roy,  don't  cry,  my  boy, 

The  girls  know  what  is  right ; 
'Twould  be  amiss,  for  you  to  uiss 

Duleina  here  in  sight. 
With  greetings  warm,  on  the  platform, 

The  boys  were  welcomed  home ; 
But  Roy  was  sad,  and  a  little  mad, 

Because  she  did  not  come. 

But  later  on,  when  he  and  John 
Called  at  their  lassie's  home. 

With  joy  so  great,  Roy  could  not  wait 
Until  thev  were  alone. 


Said  Roy,  'Tis  This,  and  This.  189 

But  while  the  four  were  at  the  door, 

Said  girls,  let's  have  a  kiss ; 
It  came  so  pat.  they  cried:  What  that! 

Said  Roy,  'tis  this,  and  this! 

With  great  amaze,  did  Clara  gaze 

At  so  much  impudence, 
While  she  did  look  then  John  he  took 

Another  at  her  expense ; 
But  that  same  night  they  made  it  right 

When  both  the  girls  did  say, 
If  you'll  repent,  we  will  consent 

To  name  the  happy  day. 

THE    WEDDING    DAY. 

On  one  morning  in  mid  winter 

When  'twas  cold  and  clear, 
All  the  guests  began  to  gather, 

Friends  from  far  and  near ; 
Came  with  merry  sleigh-bells  jingling 

Their  respects  to  pay 
To  Carrie,  Roy,  to  John  and  Clara, 

On  their  wedding  day. 

In  the  parlor  they  now  gathered, 

'Till  'twould  hold  no  more ; 
In  the  sitting  room  they  crowded, 

All  about  the  door ; 
In  the  dining-room  and  kitchen 

The  children  had  to  stay, 
For  such  a  crowd  of  friends  had  gathered 

On  this  wedding  day. 


190  Noiv  While  the  Brides  Receive  Their  Kisses. 


In  the  parlor  sat  the  pastor, 

The  happiest  of  the  lot, 
For  it  was  his  pleasant  duty 

To  tie  the  nuptial  knot ; 
When  brides  and  grooms  stood  up  before  him 

He  bowed  his  head  to  pray. 
Then  pronounced  them  wives  and  husbands. 

On  this  wedding  day. 

Now  while  the  brides  receive  their  kisses 

From  young,  and  old  forsooth, 
The  author,  he  will  stop  to  wish  them 

Everlasting  youth. 
And  kind  reader  ere  he  leaves  you, 

These  words  to  you  would  say : 
May  all  your  moments  be  as  happy 

As  on  a  wedding  day. 


Other  Thoughts 


192  Other  Thoughts. 

PEACE, 


In  this  age,  we  should  deplore 

All  the  implements  of  war, 
From  the  cannon  backward  to  the  stone  and  sling. 

When  men  to  gods  would  pray 

For  power  to  maim  and  slay 
And  would  crown  their  greatest  butcher  as  their  King. 

If  mankind  would  deplore 

The  cruel  need  of  war, 
In  this  thought  if  all  nations  would  agree, 

With  courts  to  arbitrate 

The  difference  of  state. 
Then  would  cruel  war  forever  cease  to  be. 

Disarm  the  world,  and  then 

Let  nations  be  like  men, 
And  not  like  demons,  when  they  disagree ; 

And  if  the  opinions  wrangle, 

Let  not  the  armies  mangle, 
But  submit  to  arbitrating  courts'  decree. 

If  all  nations  would  disarm 

And  free  from  wars  alarm, 
If  they  all  would  try  to  stop  the  cannon's  roar, 

And  would  in  this  act  wise 

A  perfect  world  would  rise, 
And  peace  would  be  declared  fom'crmore. 


Other  Thoughts.  193 

ACROSS  THE,  BRIIGE,. 


I  stood  on  the  bridge  in  the  early  morn 
And  saw  the  new  day  just  then  being  born, 
Ere  the  rising  sun's  first  shining  ray 
Gave  tinge  of  red  to  the  morning  grey, 
Guilding  the  mountain  tops  bright  with  gold 
And  sparkling  gleamed  where  billows  rolled. 
As  I  gazed  far  over  the  rolling  sea 
My  silent  .thoughts  were  saying  to  me : 
Across  the  bridge  on  the  other  shore 
Life's  tide  rolls  onward  forevermore. 


I  stood  on  the  bridge  at  evening  tide, 
When  shades  of  the  night  were  gathering  to  hide 
The  day  that  was  born  and  served  its  time, 
;With  ages  past  now  forming  in  line. 
Musing  I  gazed  at  the  waves  rolling  on, 
Thinking  of  the  days  that  had  come  and  gone; 
Standing  on  the  bridge  at  the  close  of  day, 
All  my  dreaming  thoughts  to  me,  seemed  to  say 
Across  the  bridge  on  the  other  shore 
Life's  tide  rolls  onward  forevermore. 


As  I  stood  on  the  bridge  and  gazed  o'er  the  sea 

A  flood  of  fond  memories  came  crowding  to  me 

Of  the  many  friends  loved  in  days  of  yore 

Waiting  o'er  the  bridge  on  the  other  shore. 


194  Other  Thoughts. 

DE,STINY  IS  CONSTANCY. 


Two  atoms  floating  on  the  waves 

Though  oceans  vast  may  them  divide, 
The  winds  of  fate  will  drift  them  on 

Until  some  day  they  will  unite. 
Two  souls  may  travel  out  in  soacp 

As  far  apart  as  sun  from  sun. 
But  destiny  will  hold  the  race 

Until  the  time  results  are  won. 

Do  you  remember  darling  one 

The  happy  day  when  I  met  you  ? 
Two  souls  on  earth,  though  born  apart, 

Our  destinies  together  drew. 
From  out  of  space  our  two  young  lives 

Moved  onward  then  unto  our  fate ; 
It  was  our  rul:ng  destiny 

To  meet,  to  love  and  then  to  mate. 

'Twas  thus  we  met  like  two  young  buds, 

Just  blossoming  out  into  life ; 
With  happy  hope  of  future  bliss 

I  asked  you  then  to  be  my  wife. 
We  plighted  then  to  each  our  troth 

And  promised  that  we  world  be  true. 
I'll  keep  my  troth  throrgh  all  my  years, 

Oh  darling  wife,  tell  me,  will  yon  ? 

Oh  will  you  love  me,  darling,  say, 

When  age  comes  on  and  locks  grow  grey, 

And  when  I  ask  in  future  time, 

Will  you  then  say  I  still  am  thine? 

I  know  you  then  will  say  to  me, 
Destiny  is  constancy. 


Other  Thoughts.  195 

THE  DRUMMEJVS  SOLILOQUY. 


When  far  away  from  loved  ones 

In  distant  lands  I  roam, 
Writing  a  letter  to  them 

Brings  thoughts  of  those  at  home ; 
While  in  these  thoughts  communing, 

By  writing  what  I  say, 
It  brings  their  presence  near  me 

Though  I  am  far  away. 

When  the  family  circle  gathers 

At  home  when  day  is  done, 
In  their  musing,  in  their  singing, 

Or  in  their  joyous  fun, 
I  am  list'ning,  are  they  talking, 

Is  that  a  sigh,  I  hear, 
Of  a  dear  one  who  is  thinking 

And  wishing  he  was  here? 

I  wonder,  in  the  gathering 

Of  the  family  circle  there, 
If  they're  thinking  of  the  missing 

And  of  the  vacant  chair. 
When  they  write  me,  is  it  duty 

Or  response  to  pleasure's  call  ? 
Oh,  the  latter  thought  I'd  treasure 

As  the  dearest  one  of  all. 

I  am  writing,  they're  around  me, 
Wife,  and  our  children,  dear, 

Oh,  their  presence  seems  about  me, 
I  almost  think  they're  here. 


Other  Thoughts. 


As  my  thoughts  upon  this  paper 
The  word  impressions  are, 

All  my  thoughts  go  to  the  loved  ones 
Like  vision  to  the  star. 

I  am  thinking  of  the  evening 

Of  the  days  so  long  ago, 
Holding  in  my  arms  the  youngest 

Who  was  then  our  baby,  Joe, 
When  necessity  did  drive  me 

From  our  home  the  coming  day. 
Josie  in  my  arms  said,  weeping, 

Papa  don't  you  go  away. 

To  provide  for  them  a  living, 

Papa  had  to  go  away ; 
From  the  loved  ones  among  strangers 

Was  compelled  to  go  and  stay. 
So  at  evening  in  the  gathering 

Was  the  family  circle  broke. 
In  the  morning  in  my  lone  room 

How  I  missed  them  when  I  awoke. 

But  this  thought,  then  did  sustain  me, 

Hoping,  in  no  distant  day 
To  return,  again  be  with  them. 

Never  more  to  go  away. 
Pint  Dame  Fortune  was  against  me 

And  put  off  so  long  the  day 
Until  Josie,  now  a  woman, 

Writes,  dear  papa  coire  and  stay. 


Other  Thoughts.  197 


And  perhaps  the  day  is  dawning 

When  things  all  will  make  a  change  ; 
It  may  be  we've  reached  the  morning 

When  some  way  may  be  arranged, 
That  we  all  can  be  together 

Father,  children,  mother,  wife — 
If  not  here  we'll  be  together 

When  we  reach  the  other  life. 


ADOWN  THE  STREAM. 


Early  in  the  morning  at  the  break  of  day, 
The  farmer  whets  his  scythe,  mowing  grass  for  hay ; 
With  a  merry  swish  as  the  blade  goes  cutting  through, 
Shining  blades  of  grass  shed  pearly  drops  of  dew. 

At  eve,  in  the  meadow  children  come  to  play 
By  the  little  streamlet,  in  the  new  mown  hay, 
And  with  little  lambkins  love  to  skip  and  run ; 
Children,  stream  and  lambkins ;  little  lives  begun. 

Winding  in  its  course  the  streamlet  flowing  on 
O'er  the  smooth  worn  pebbles,  kissing  one  by  one ; 
With  the  merry  laughter  and  its  rippling  song, 
Sparkling  in  the  moonlight  as  it  runs  along. 

Meets  a  little  schoolboy  with  his  slate  and  book, 
Loitering  for  a  moment  on  his  way  to  school ; 
Sitting  on  the  rustic  bridge  spanning  the  brook, 
Cooling  his  fevered  feet  in  the  limpid  pool. 


Other  Thoughts. 


A  dear  little  baby  to  this  world  came  at  dawn, 
Now  the  sweet  young  maiden  just  crossing  the  lawn 
And  singing  so  sweetly.    Descending  the  ridge, 
She  meets  for  the  first  time,  the  youth  on  the  bridge. 

Onward  down  its  channel  did  the  babbling  brook  flow. 
Meeting  with  another  a  short  space  below. 
Together  prattling  ran  down  into  the  pond, 
Then  swiftly  in  a  race  to  the  mill  wheel  beyond. 

All  blushing  and  smiling  the  maiden  so  coy, 
Wild  flowers  was  holding,  her  blushes  to  hide ; 
So  timidly  walking,  approaching  the  boy, 
Who  bashfully  rising  stood  there  by  her  side. 

The  maiden  now  seeing  his  book  and  the  slate 
Said  she,  are  you  also  on  your  way  to  school? 
I  too,  am  just  starting,  I  fear  we'll  be  late; 
Don't  hurry  said  he,  the  first  day  there's  no  rule. 

The  old  mill  wheel  turns  slowly  around, 

— Click,  Clack — Click,  Clack — 
And  food  for  the  poor  and  the  rich  is  ground ; 

— Click,  Clack — Click,  Clack — 
The  streamlet  down  through  the  mill  race  runs, 

Helping  to  turn  the  busy  mill  stones 
Grinding  the  flour  for  bread  and  for  buns, 
Food  for  the  big  and  the  little  ones. 

— Click,  Clack — Click,  Clack — 

The  old  stone  mill  now  in  its  decay 

— Click,  Clack — Click.  Clack — 
Keeps  steadily  grinding  night  and  day 

— Click,  Clack — Click,  Clack — 


Other  Thoughts.  199 


'Tis  grinding  still,  thought  not  at  its  best, 
The  old  wheel  turns,  not  stopping  to  rest; 
Grinding  the  flour  for  the  family  and  guest 
Click,  Clack — Click — 

Upon  the  rustic  bridge  often  did  they  meet, 

And  they  fell  in  love,  to  tell  the  honest  truth. 

She  thought  that  he  was  nice,  he  thought  her  so  sweet, 

This  blushing  young  maiden  and  the  bashful  youth. 

Together  did  they  talk  and  would  often  plan 
Of  things  that  they  would  do,  later  on  in  life. 
When  the  years  rolled  by  the  youth  became  a  man 
And  the  blushing  maiden,  she  became  his  wife. 

When  the  little  streamlet  to  a  creek  had  grown, 
A  larger  stream  it  met  when  passing  the  ridge ; 
Concluding  it  was  best  not  to  flow  alone, 
One  river  they  became  just  beyond  the  bridge. 

The  maiden  and  the  boy,  the  husband  and  wife, 
Trusting  in  each  other,  what  ever  betide ; 
Together  did  they  float  the  river  of  life, 
Her  love  to  encourage,  his  strong  arm  to  guide. 

They  floated  in  their  boat,  while  smooth  waters  ran, 
When  through  torrent  rushing,  she  stood  at  his  side ; 
A  help  to  each  other,  the  woman  and  man 
Safely  ran  the  rapids,  down  to  smoother  tide. 

Down  on  smoother  waters  from  all  danger  free, 
Passing  the  breakers,  their  duties  now  are  o'er ; 
Faithful  to  each  other,  vpon  life's  sea, 
With  the  tide  are  drifting  to  the  other  shore. 


200  Other  Thoughts. 

LAST  ONE,  OF  THE,  REGIMENT, 


Hark,  I  now  hear  the  bugle  call 

(Beyond  the  shores  of  time, 
While  here  alone  I'm  standing  guard 

Upon  the  picket  line. 
For  of  the  thousand  comrades,  who 

With  me  to  battle  went, 
All,  all  have  gone,  I  am  alone, 

Last  of  the  regiment. 


Upon  the  other  shore  they  camp, 

Nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine ; 
They  are  waiting  for  a  comrade 

To  come  and  fill  the  line. 
I  seem  to  hear  their  voices  say 

'Tis  time  to  strike  your  tent. 
We  are  waiting  for  you,  comrade, 

To  fill  the  regiment. 


The  last  one  of  the  regiment, 

Alone  I  stand  in  line, 
And  waiting  for  the  bugle  call 

Across  the  shores  of  time. 
Comrades   with  whom  I  bivouacked 

Or  with  you  shared  the  tent, 
I'm  coming  soon  to  take  my  place 

And  fill  the  regiment. 


Other  Thoughts.  201 

DRIFTING  WITH  THE,  TIDE. 


If  I  was  but  a  younger  man 

And  full  of  life  and  vim, 
I  would  adopt  a  different  plan, 

My  sails,  I'd  better  trim  ; 
I  would  avoid  all  kinds  of  strife, 

Be  strictly  satisfied ; 
In  sailing  on  the  sea  of  life 

Go  drifting  with  the  tide. 

I'd  let  my  life  glide  smoothly  on, 

Calm  as  the  evening  air ; 
Taking  all  things  just  as  they  come, 

Avoid  all  worrying  care. 
Though  life's  billows  roll  roughly  on, 

Upon  smooth  waves  I'd  ride ; 
And  as  the  days  pass  one  by  one 

Go  drifting  with  the  tide. 

Though  troubles  crowd  upon  my  mind 

And  skies  be  overcast, 
I  will  in  this  a  pleasure  find : 

The  thought,  it  will  not  last. 
If  clouds  grow  dark  and  with  the  rain 

The  sunshine  it  does  hide, 
I  know  'twill  smile  on  ire  again 

While  drifting  with  the  tide. 

The  happy  days  will  come  again, 

If  I  but  bide  the  time, 
Trusting  I  will  not  wait  in  vain, 

My  sun  will  surely  shine ; 
And  happy  hours  of  joy  and  peace 

Will  then  with  me  abide. 
In  good  old  age  I'll  rest  at  ease 

While  floating  clown  the  tide. 


202  Ctl.ct-  ThougUs. 

I  MIGHT  HAVE  BEEN, 


In  your  voyage  upon  life's  sea, 
Keep  the  right  when  you  begin. 

To  eat  and  drink  and  merry  be, 

Should  not  be  all  of  life  to  thee. 

Trim  yorr  thoughts  to    do  and  win. 

Success  will  come  to  he  who  tries, 

A  no  regret  will  ever  rise 

In  the  thought :  I  might  have  been 

If  your  motives  are  not  pure  grown 

And  you'd  lived  a  life  of  sin. 
If  you  would  live  for  self  alone 
Feel  others  pains  are  not  yorr  own. 

And  not  invite  strangers  in. 
If  you  would  turn  to  rum  and  wine, 
Deep  regret  world  coire  in  tir'e. 
In  the  thought :  I  might  have  been 


In  your  scrambling  for  pelf, 

Let  this  thought  abide  with  thee : 

In  the  race  for  fame  and  wealth 

Love  your  neighbor  as  yourself 
And.  with,  the  golden  rule  agree. 

If  you  will  to  others  do 

As  you'd  have  them  do  to  you, 

What  you  might  have  been,  vou  vet  can  be. 


203 


THE,  LITTLE,  ONES. 


Dearest  children.    Little  tots, 

What  shall  I  write  for  you  ? 
I  must  look  around  for  thoughts 

To  write  a  page  or  two, 
And  not  forget  the  little  ones 

The  dearest  of  all  joys. 
Daughters,  sweet,  cute  little  sons, 

Prattling  girls  and  boys. 


204  Other  Thoughts. 

LITTLE,  BABY  IS  SO  SWEET, 


Little  baby's  come  to  town, 

Hio — Bio — 
Winking,  blinking  with  a  frown, 

Hio—  Bio- 
Dimpled  cheeks  and  pretty  eyes, 
Deepest  blue  just  like  the  skies, 
Little  fists  and  chubby  feet, 
Oh  the  baby  is  so  sweet ! 

Hio—  Bio- 
Little  baby  brother  mine, 

Hio—  Bio- 
Rosy  lips  and  hair  so  fine, 

Hio—  Bio— 

Xot  so  pretty  when  you  cry. 
Did  they  bring  you  from  the  sky, 
Little  voice  now  out  of  tune 
Will  be  larghing  pretty  soon, 

Hio—  Bio- 
Pretty  baby  brother  dear, 

Hio—  Bio- 
Face  so  white  and  skin  so  clear, 

Hio—  Bio — 

I  thank  you  mamma,  yes  I  do, 
I  think  it  awful  kind  of  you, 
Bringing  for  me  such  a  treat, 
Oh  the  baby  is  so  sweet ! 

I  lio— Bio— 


Other  Thoughts.  205, 

TELL  IT  ALL  TO  ME. 


Twinkling,  twinkling  little  star, 
Shining  down  so  bright  on  me, 
Gazing  o'er  the  world  so  far, 
Will  you  tell  me  what  you  see? 

Tell  me  of  the  sea  and  land, 
Tell  me  of  the  mountains,  grand, 
Tell  me  of  the  woods  and  hills, 
Of  the  rivers,  brooks  and  rills. 

Tell  me  of  the  birds  and  squirrels, 
Tell  of  little  boys  and  girls. 
Up  so  high,  how  much  you  see, 
Tell  it,  tell  it  all  to  me. 

Tell  it  a-11  my  little  child  ! 
What  you  ask  is  very  wild, 
If  I  would  begin  today, 
You'd  be  very  old  and  gray 
Ere  the  story  is  begun. 
If  I  tell  it  all  to  thee. 
Age  on  age  of  time  will  be 
When  the  story  would  be  done. 

Much  I  see  my  child,  'tis  true ; 
I  will  tell  you  what  to  do, 
Every  night  before  you  sleep 
Through  the  window  take  a  peep, 


2o6  Other  Thoughts. 


If  you  then  can  see  me  there, 
First  repeat  your  little  prayer, 
In  your  bed  listen  to  me 
I  will  tell  of  things  I  see. 

Once  upon  a  tiir.e,  it  was  early  in  the  morn, 
When  I  was  looking  down  from  my  home  in  the  sky 
As  another  day  was  just  being  born, 
I  saw  your  little  world  so  swiftly  passing  by. 

It  was  rolling  round  and  round,  like  a  spinning  wheel ; 
And  whirling  abort  it  spun  so  very  fast 
That  when  I  would  look,  it  made  me  dizzy,  feel, 
As  the  land  and  sea  went  swiftly  flying  past. 

High  over  the  hills  I  saw  the  mountains  loom, 
And  a  misty  light  was  hanging  o'er  the  sea ; 
Sweet  scented  blossoms  just  opening  into  bloom. 
I  saw  on  the  twigs  of  the  peach  and  apple  tree. 

High  upon  a  limb  of  a  tall  hickory  tree. 
A  little  grey  squirrel  sat  there  blinking  at  me ; 
With  grey  on  his  back,  and  yellow  on  his  breast, 
Gathering  the  nuts,  for  the  young  in  its  nest. 

In  its  little  nest  I  then  took  a  peep 
And  four  little  squirrels  I  saw  fast  asleep. 
Protected  from  snow,  secure  from  rain  and  hail, 
Covered  snug  and  warm  with  their  long  bushy  tail. 


Otl.e;-  Thoughts.  207 


In  its  papa's  house  I  saw  a  little  child, 
A  sweet  little  baby,  prettiest  thing  I'd  seen, 
Cozy  in  the  cradle,  it  looked  at  me  and  smiled, 
The  pride  of  its  mamma,  was  this  pretty  queen. 


Of  all  the  pretty  things  this  was  the  sweetest  sight 
I  saw  in  the  sky,  on  land  or  in  the  deep. 
But  I  will  tell  no  more  till  some  other  night, 
Your  eyes  are  heavy  now  'tis  time  to  go  to  sleep. 


A  HAPPY  NEW  YE,AR. 


A  happy  new  year  come  to  thee,  my  child ; 

A  happy  new  year  to  thee 
May  the  srn  shine  bright,  and  the  storms  be  mild 

And  the  waves  upon  life's  sea, 
May  they  be  smooth  that  thou  pleasantly  glide 

Its  surface,  happy  and  free. 


May  every  trre  pleasure  with  thee  abide, 

Chosen  friends  be  at  thy  side ; 
May  thy  pathway  be  strewn  with  flowers,  rare, 

And  birds  sing  their  sweetest  lay ; 
The  thorn,  discontent,  be  swept  from  thy  way 

That  thy  life  be  free  from  care, 
Is  the  happy  Xew  Year  I  would  wish  for  thee. 


208  Other  Thoughts. 

A  LITTLE,  STORY 


In  a  wee  little  country 
There  lived  a  little  king, 
Upon  his  little  finger 
He  wore  a  little  ring. 

There  was  a  little  lady 
Who  was  his  little  queen, 
They  had  a  little  baby 
The  sweetest  ever  seen. 

This  little  little  missie, 
She  had  a  pussy  cat, 
With  little  little  kitties 
So  cunning  sleek  and  fat. 

These  little  little  kittens 
And  their  mother  pussy  cat, 
Wore  little  little  mittens 
And  a  dandy  little  hat. 

One  day  these  little  kittens, 
When  in  the  little  house, 
Darning  their  little  mittens. 
They  saw  a  little  mouse. 

Across  the  room  they  slyly  stole 
And  crept  along  the  floor, 
The  mouse  ran  in  a  little  hole 
And  it  was  seen  no  more. 


Other  Thoughts.  209 


SONGS. 


There  is  music  in  the  air 
Purest  of  life's  delight ; 
There  is  music  every  where 
When  the  heart  and  mind  is  right. 
Sweetly  lingering  soul  of  song, 
Cheering  weary  life  along, 
Blessed  is  he  whose  life  can  be 
Cheered  with  songs  of  harmony. 


210  Other  Thoughts. 

THE  PICTURES  ON  THE  WALL. 


In  the  springtime  of  our  lives 

We  are  planting  for  the  days, 
When  the  shade  of  age,  now  gathering, 

Doth  so  gently  o'er  ns  fall. 
Storing  ir.em'ries  of  our  youth 

And  on  our  happy  childish  plays, 
To  be  gathered  in  our  musings, 

Buried  deep  in  mem'ries  thrall ; 
Then  our  thoughts  go  to  the  homestead 

Where  our  youthful  days  were  passed, 
And  we  see  the  family  circle 

Of  the  dear  ones,  one  and  all. 
And  the  many  kind  neighbors 

Friends  with  whom  our  lives  were  cast, 
When  we  gaze  upon  their  pictures 

On  the  wall. 

First  we  see  our  mother,  dear. 

That  face  so  kind  and  mild. 
Taking  irerrory  back  to  childhood 

And  we  seem  to  hear  her  call, 
With  responding  cries.  Mamma, 

Echoed  there  by  every  child 
As  they  gather  close  around  her, 

Loving  mother,  one  and  all. 
Then  the  face  of  noble  father 

Marked  with  lines  of  toil  and  care, 
How  he  strove  witli  thought  and  labor. 

That  no  want  would  on  us  fall ; 


Other  Tlwnghts.  211 


And  our  sisters  and  brothers 

In  memory  all  are  there, 
When  we  gaze  upon  their  pictures 

On  the  wall. 
CHORUS. 

Oh  those  faces,  remembered  faces, 

How  we  loved  them  one  and  all. 

Now  the  pictures  take  their  places 

When  our  glances  on  them  fall ; 
Happy  memories  of  our  young  days 

Do  they  to  orr  minds  recall, 
When  we  gaze  upon  their  pictures 

On  the  wall. 


ALONE  WITH  THEE. 


When  in  the  closet  of  the  mind, 
I  shut  the  door  and  close  the  blind, 
That  other  thoughts  may  not  be  there 
When  I  seek  Thee,  my  God,  in  prayer. 

With  thee  alone,  in  there  my  God, 
Then  thou  cans't  read  my  every  thought 
In  silent  prayer  I  then  will  be, 
Nearer  my  God   nearer  to  Thee. 

While  there  with  Thee,  my  God,  alone, 
My  prayer  will  be.  Thy  will  be  done. 
In  close  communion  will  I  be 
Nearer  my  God  to  Thee. 


212  Other  Thoughts. 

THE  OLD  PLANTATION  HOME  WHERE 
I  WAS  BORN. 


Oh  I  long  to  take  a  trip 

To  the  old  plantation  home ; 
On  the  banks  of  old  Sewanee  I  would  roam, 

There  beneath  the  sunny  skies 

'Mid  cle  cotton  and  de  corn, 
In  de  old  plantation  home  where  I  was  born. 

Oh,  I  long  to  see  de  massa 

And  deah  missus  face  once  more. 
And  to  see  de  picaninnies  play. 

About  de  cabin  door, 

I  would  love  to  wake  at  dawn 

On  a  bright  and  rosy  morn, 
In  de  old  plantation  home  where  I  was  born. 

Wakin  up  de  darkies  all,  so  early  in  de  morn  : 
Ho'in  all  de  fo-noon  in  cle  cotton  and  de  corn. 
Darkies  all  so  hungry  now,  go  blow  de  dinna  horn 
In  de  old  plantation  home  Where  I  was  born. 

Xi)\v  the  mocking  bird's  shrill  notes 

Still  is  ringing  on  my  ear, 
And  the  turtle  dove's  sweet  moan  so  soft  and  clear 

With  the  meadow-lark's  glad  song 

As  it  soars  to  greet  the  morn, 
In  de  old  plantation  home  where  I  was  born. 


Other  Thoughts.  213 


How  Fl  lub  to  hunt  the  possom 
And  to  tree  de  sly  old  coon, 

And  to  hear  the  music  of  de  hounds, 
When  deys  bayin'  at  de  moon. 
Qh,  that  I  could  spend  my  life 
In  the  days  that's  yet  to  come, 

And  be  buried  in  de  old  plantation  home. 


QUEEN  OF  THE  FARMER'S  DAIRY. 


Every  rosy  morn  the  sun's  first  shining  ray, 
Spies  a  pretty  maid  skipping  along  the  way ; 
Strolling  the  meadow  through  on  its  path  across, 
Calling  the  diary  cows,  with  co-bos !  cobos ! 
The  birds  all  sweetly  sing,  as  she  trips  along, 
Join  the  the  chorus  of  this  little  song : 

Hi-oh,  we  tell  you  its  so; 
She  is  the  girl  to  marry, 

All  pure  cash,  none  of  your  trash, 
This  queen  of  the  farmer's  dairy. 

Early  every  morn,  there  comes  this  pretty  miss, 
Cheeks  so  rosy,  and  with  lips  you'd  love  to  kiss ; 
Her  pretty  arms  so  bare,  dressed  so  white  and  clean 
Sitting  down  by  bossy's  side,  pailing  milk  and  cream. 
Now  all  the  farmer-boys,  make  the  welkin  ring, 
Join  in  the  chorus  when  this  song  they  sing : 

Hi-oh,  we  tell  you  its  so ; 
She  is  the  girl  to  marry, 

All  pure  cash,  none  of  your  trash, 
This  queen  of  the  farmer's  dairy. 


214  Other  Thoughts. 


Your  mind  it  may  be  bright, 

And  your  thoughts  may  all  be  right, 
You  may  do  your  duty  well  both  night  and  day  ; 

Although  you  may  be  wise, 

You  will  seldom  ever  rise, 
If  you  have  not  plenty  cash  on  hand  to  pay. 

You  may  exert  your  will, 

But  you  have  to  foot  the  bill. 
And  to  live  you  have  to  stop  and  make  the  hay ; 

You  may  strive  with  all  your  might, 

You  will  seldom  win  the  fight, 
For  the  dirty  little  dollar's  in  the  way. 


The  white  men  they  are  right. 

When  they  start  out  in  the  fight, 
If  all  mercenary  motives  they  despise; 

For  to  raise  a  savage  race, 

To  a  higher,  nobler  place. 
Is  wherein  a  pure  and  noble  purpose  lies ; 

But  if  they  fight  and  bleed, 

Just  for  commercial  greed, 
And  are  there  to  conquer  for  the  sake  of  pay ; 

If  the  right  they  will  despise 

They  can  never  civilize 
For  the  dirty  little  dollar's  in  the  way. 


Other  Thoughts.  215 

To  civilize  a  race, 

That  it  takes  its  proper  place, 
Be  first  among  the  nations,  in  the  van ; 

Then  spare  oppression's  rod, 

Teach  the  love  of  home  and  God, 
And  the  universal  brotherhood  of  man. 

Teach  them  to  take  delight, 

In  honesty  and  right, 
And  to  love  their  neighbor,  not  alone  for  pay; 

If  these  motives  they  despise, 

They  will  never  civilize. 
For  the  dirty  little  dollar's  in  the  way. 


SUMMER  SHOWERS. 


When  the  summer  showers  gather 

And  it  begins  to  rain. 
How  I  love  to  hear  its  patter 

Upon  the  window  pane; 
How  I  love  to  hear  the  rattle 

Of  the  raindrops  overhead, 
And  to  hear  the  thunder  battle 

While  I'm  resting  in  my  bed. 

When  the  storm-cloud  passes  over 

And  it  has  ceased  to  rain, 
Still  I  hear  the  distant  roar 

Like  a  battle  o'er  the  plain. 
Listening  to  the  distant  thunder, 

Dreaming  that  my  mother  said: 
"Hvsh,  my  dear,  lie  still  and  slumber, 

Holy  angels  guard  thy  bed." 


2 if)  Other  Thoughts. 


Constant    thought   without    play 

Will    make    the    strongest    mind    give    way. 

"A   little  levity   now   and   then 

Is    relished   by    the    best    of    men." 


COURTING  SUNDAY  NIGHT. 


Polly  wants  a  cracker,  now, 

A  story  she  will  write  ; 
How  girls  and  boys  at  our  house 

Do  courting  Sunday  night. 
Jennie  on  the  sofa  sits 

And  Jack  sits  by  her  side, 
Begging  her  to  name  the  day 

When  she  will  be  his  bride. 

Turning  down  the  lamp  so  low 

They  put  it  almost  out, 
Having  a  most  precious  time 

Can  any  of  you  doubt? 
With  her  pretty  hand  in  his 

They  think  it  not  amiss, 
When  Polly  has  her  cracker, 

For  Jack  to  have  his  kiss. 

Polly  wants  a  cracker,  now, 
For  Jack  has  had  his  kiss, 

Sitting  on  the  sofa 
With  this  pretty  Miss, 


Other  Thoughts.  217 


Is'nt  it  delicious,  though, 
But  Poll  don't  think  it  right, 

This  sitting  in  the  parlor 
A  courtin'  Sunday  night. 

Polly  made  a  rule  to  eat 

Whenever  Jack  did  kiss, 
But  Polly  isn't  hungry  now 

She's  rather  tired  of  this ; 
He  came  so  soon  and  staid  so  long 

And  kissed  so  very  fast 
That  Polly  thinks  she's  had  enough, 

She's  had  her  fill  at  last. 

Oh  won't  he  stop  this  crazy  fit, 

The  day  begins  to  peep, 
And  Polly  is  so  tired  now 

She  wants  to  go  to  sleep ; 
If  Jack  don't  give  up  pretty  soon 

She'll  have  to  break  the  rule, 
And  say  she  is  no  match  for  Jack 

She  feels  so  awful  full. 

Poll  don't  want  a  cracker,  now, 

She's  eat  enough  to  h"st ; 
She  thinks  that  Jack's  tbe  biggest  fool 

Ere  made  of  common  dr-st ; 
He  kept  it  up  the  whole  night  long 

And  Poll  don't  think  it  right, 
This  sitting  in  the  parlor 

A  courtin'  Sunday  night. 


218  Other  Thoughts. 


STICK  TO  YOUR  TRADE. 


If  all  was  as  perfect  as  the  days  go  round, 
Each  must  stick  to  his  profession  or  trade ; 
In  a  jack  of  all  trades,  seldom  is  found 
Results  attaining  the  higher  grade. 

To  repair  a  watch  so  it  will  not  stop 
Sensible  people  to  jewelers  would  go; 
They  would  not  take  it  to  a  blacksmith  shop. 
But  to  those  whose  studies  help  them  to  know. 

The  shoemaker  fits  your  foot  with  a  shoe 
That  will  give  ease  without  pinching  your  corn ; 
Should  the  doctor  try  the  same  thing  to  do, 
You  surely  would  wish  you  never  was  born. 

The  doctor  will  feel  your  pulse,  when  you're  sick, 
And  prescribe  the  dose  that  will  make  you  well ; 
Should  the  mason  prescribe  some  powdered  brick, 
Just  how  you  would  feel  'twould  be  hard  to  tell. 

If  you'd  invest  in  the  perfect  and  best 
Then  rreddle  not  with  another  one's  trade ; 
You  would  have  a  botch  that  would  not  stand  test, 
For  a  trade  can't  be  bought  all  ready  made. 


Other  Thoughts.  219 

AT  THE  TEACHERS'  INSTITUTE. 


Into  the  town  I  dropped  last  week 
To  work  the  village — so  to  speak — 
But  for  my  business  there  was  no  show, 
For  "Schoolma'ams"  here,  were  all  the  go. 

Hotels  were  as  crowded  as  they  could  be, 
It  seemed  there  was  no  place  for  me ; 
But  at  last  I  found  a  place  to  tie 
And  watch  the  schoolma'ms  passing  by. 

Twenty  schoolma'ams  I  saw  in  a  bunch, 
Twenty  schoolma'ams  going  to  lunch ; 
Twenty  schoolma'ams  all  looking  so  cute, 
Leaving  the  teachers'  institute. 

There  are  ten  schoolma'ams,  and  ten  times  ten, 
Wielding  the  power  of  thought  and  pen, 
To  teach  young  ideas  how  to  shoot, 
Now  at  the  teachers'  institute. 

One  hundred  schoolma'ams  with  faces  fair, 
Brinful  of  sense,  smiled  on  me  there ; 
Dresses  all  styles  with  hats  trimmed  to  suit, 
Here  at  the  teachers'  institute. 

Though  business  was  dead,  what  did  I  care ; 
All  I  could  do,  was  sit  and  stare ; 
Such  beauty  and  grace,  with  sense  combined, 
Drove  thoughts  of  business  from  my  mind. 

Here's  to  the  schoolma'ams  everywhere : 
May  you  all  in  good  fortune  share ; 
For  a  better  world  comes  from  the  fruit. 
Of  ideas  you  start  to  shoot. 


22O  Other  Thoughts. 

THE  DUTCHMAN'S  EXPERIENCE. 


You  vants  to  know  mine  experience  mit  specs 
It  vas  lik  dis: 

Mine  eyes  vas  dim,  I  goot  not  see, 

I  knows  not  vot  to  do. 
A  beddler  gomes  along,  says  he, 

I  sold  some  sphecs  mit  you. 

I  dries  dem  on,  dey  vas  all  right ; 

Der  makes  tings  look  so  pig; 
I  tonght  dat  dey  vould  helnp  mine  sight, 

I  paid  him  for  der  ri'g. 

I  put  dem  on  yust  right  off  quick ; 

Mine  vrow  she  vill  be  glad ; 
But  soon  dey  make  me  awful  sick, 

I  neffer  feel  so  pad. 

I  meets  mine  vife  and  girl,  some  how 
Der  specks  mine  head  made  whirl, 

Dot  ven  I  dried  to  kiss  mine  vrow, 
I  kissed  der  hired  girl. 

Mine  vife.  she  feel  so  ferry  pad, 
And  vat  made  tings  more  vorse, 

Aline  vrow  she  get  so  awful  mad, 
She  say  she  get  diworse. 

I  though  I  try  some  sphecs  vonce  more, 

Ven  I  go  to  der  fair, 
I  find  dem  at  der  hartware  store, 

And  puys  mineself  a  pair. 


Other  Thoughts.  221 


I  puts  clem  on  yust  right  off  now, 
But  dey  vas  not  yust  straight, 

So  ven  I  tried  to  kiss  mine  vrow, 

I  asked  mine  vrow,  vat  shall  I  do  ? 
She  said,  Oh !  do  be  vise, 

And  let  no  von  sell  sphecs  mit  you, 

Who  cannot  fit  your  eyes. 

A  great  optician,  vas  now  here ; 

Go  see  him  right  avay, 
Your  eyes  he'll  test,  your  sight  make  clear. 

Pefore  he  makes  you  pay. 

He  test  mine  eyes,  as  trre  as  life, 
He  makes  dem  clear  and  straight ; 

I  now  can  see  to  kiss  mine  vife, 
Der  girl  and  chamber  mait. 


There  was  an  old  maid  she  dressed  in  blue, 
The  longer  she  lived  the  younger  she  grew 
There  was  an  old  man  with  no  hair  on  his  head, 
The  longer  he  talked  the  less  he  said. 
This  man  and  old  maid,  concluded  to  wed 
And  began  to  quarrel,  now  both  are  dead. 

MORAL. 

Ere  exhausting  all  that's  in  us 
'Tis  best  to  quit  and  write 
FINIS. 


SONGS. 

Words  and  music  by  J.  S.  Emmert. 

The  three  following  songs,  the  words  of  which  are  given  in  full  on 
preceding  pages,  have  been  set  to  music,  with  piano  accompaniment,  by 
the  author  of  Sionilli. 

THE  DIRTY  LITTLE  DOLLAR  IS   IN  THE  WAY. 


Solo  and  Quartette,  piano  accompaniment, 50 


THE  OLD  PLANTATION  HOME  WHERE  I  WAS  BORN. 

J> 


<?  * 

A  song  of  the  Sunny  South  in  Old  Plantation  Days. 

Song  and  chorus  with  piano  accompaniment,   50 

With  orchestra  accompaniment,  eight  pieces,  i.oo 


THE  PICTURES  ON  THE  WALL. 


Andante 


*   "f 

A  song  not  only  of  to-day  but  will  last  like  Home  Sweet  Home  to 
recall  memories  of  the  dear  ones  when  our  grand  children  gather  and 
sing  to  us  of  the  Pictures  on  the  Wall. 

A  full  four-page  song  and  chorus,  piano  accompaniment 50 

If  the  words  of  these  songs  please  you,  will  find  the  music  to  cor- 
respond, and  may  be  had  by  addressing, 

SIONILLI, 

1149  Jackson  Boul.,  Chicago,  111. 


A    000127103    o 


